REGENT and Fairlead Partner to Accelerate Seaglider Vessel Deployment and Advanced U.S. Maritime Capabilities

• REGENT and Fairlead partner to advance the development, production, and deployment of REGENT’s Seaglider technology.
• The partnership will provide the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps with Seaglider solutions for contested logistics and naval resupply.
• This represents a significant investment in America’s shipbuilding workforce and infrastructure.
• Learn more about REGENT Defense here and learn more about Fairlead here.  

North Kingstown, RI, September 18, 2025 — REGENT Craft, the developer and manufacturer of Seaglider vessels, and Fairlead, a leader in ship repair, fabrication, and systems integration, today announced a strategic partnership to advance the development, production, and deployment of REGENT’s Seaglider technology for defense and logistics applications.

The partnership brings together REGENT maritime defense business unit REGENT Defense’s cutting-edge Viceroy and Squire maritime platforms with Fairlead’s proven expertise in engineering, integration, and shipbuilding. Together, the companies will accelerate delivery timelines, strengthen U.S. industrial capacity, and provide the Navy and Marine Corps, along with allies and partners around the globe, with versatile new options for contested logistics and naval resupply.

Derisking and Accelerating Maritime Innovation

The U.S. military’s evolving expeditionary mission demands new approaches to contested logistics and maritime domain awareness—ensuring forces can maneuver and sustain operations in environments where traditional supply chains are vulnerable to disruption. By combining REGENT’s innovative Seaglider technology with Fairlead’s proven expertise in shipbuilding and heavy industrial integration, the partnership will deliver scalable mil-spec solutions for resilient sea-based logistics, cargo, and intelligence operations for U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army, and U.S. Special Operations forces.  

The collaboration leverages Fairlead’s decades of experience in complex maritime fabrication and systems integration to further de-risk REGENT’s transition from prototype to scalable production. By uniting REGENT’s next-generation wing-in-ground effect Seaglider vessels with Fairlead’s established manufacturing and testing expertise, the partnership ensures faster, more reliable deployment for defense customers—meeting maritime defense needs at scale.  

Multi-Platform Adaptability for Navy and Marine Corps Operations

REGENT’s Seaglider vessels are designed to operate seamlessly across sea states, enabling high-speed, long-range, low-signature capability that complements and enhances existing naval platforms. Working with Fairlead, REGENT Defense will provide the Navy and Marine Corps with scalable options for distributed operations, rapid ship-to-shore resupply for surface combatants, critical medical evacuation, and contested logistics support across the Indo-Pacific and other theaters. ‍

Strengthening U.S. Shipbuilding and Industrial Development

The partnership also represents a significant investment in America’s shipbuilding workforce and infrastructure. By manufacturing and integrating systems domestically, REGENT Defense and Fairlead are both helping to revitalize and reindustrialize U.S. maritime industry, sustain and grow high-quality jobs, and reinforce national industrial resilience. ‍

Expanding Global Supply and Logistics Capacity

Beyond strict defense applications, this partnership enables rapid scalability to support third-party logistics operations. With Fairlead’s established expertise, REGENT can surge Seaglider production and additive manufacturing to meet demand, providing a fast, sustainable, and globally deployable supply chain solution for both government and industry partners.

“This partnership is about speed, scale, and resilience as we embark on the future of American shipbuilding,” said Billy Thalheimer, co-founder and CEO of REGENT. “By teaming with Fairlead, REGENT is combining our innovative Seaglider technology with proven shipbuilding expertise, accelerating delivery to the fleet, and strengthening U.S. leadership in maritime logistics.”

“REGENT Seaglider vessels solve the toughest challenges for Navy and Marine Corps maritime defense missions, enabling low-signature distributed operations, resilient sealift, and rapid surge capacity for both contested logistics and humanitarian emergency response,” said Tom Huntley, General Manager of REGENT Defense.  

“Fairlead is proud to support the deployment of REGENT’s revolutionary Seaglider platform,” said Jerry Miller, Chairman of Fairlead. “Together, we will provide the Navy and Marine Corps with a new capability that advances distributed operations, strengthens supply chains, and creates high-value jobs in American shipbuilding.”

“Fairlead is committed to backing the entrepreneurs and technologies that will strengthen readiness, resilience and innovation across the U.S. Navy and Department of War,” said Fairlead President Fred Pasquine. “REGENT’s Seagliders are a prime example of technology that will revolutionize U.S. maritime defense operations.”

About REGENT

REGENT is pioneering the future of maritime mobility through the development and manufacturing of SeagliderTM vessels, high-speed hydrofoiling wing-in-ground effect (WIG) craft that operate over the water within a wingspan of the surface, combining the speed of an aircraft with the convenience of a boat. A dual use company based in Rhode Island, U.S., REGENT has secured global commercial orders valued at more than $10 billion from leading airline and ferry operators around the world, as well as $15 million in contracts with the U.S. Marine Corps. REGENT has raised more than $100 million from investors including 8090 Industries, Founders Fund, Japan Airlines, and Lockheed Martin. Learn more at www.regentcraft.com  

About Fairlead

Fairlead is a diversified maritime services company headquartered in Portsmouth, Virginia. With expertise in ship repair, fabrication, systems integration, and manufacturing, Fairlead supports the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard, commercial building, repair, systems integration, and logistics support. Learn more at www.fairlead.com.