As reported by the web resource ATO.ru in the article "The project of the American commercial ekranoplan attracted interest and funds from the defense industry. Lockheed Martin invests in the surface glider-ekranoplane with electric motor program," the American developer of ekranoplanes Regent continues to attract investors and customers and enters new market sectors. Lockheed Martin, one of the largest companies in the US defense and aerospace complex, is investing in the development of next-generation ekranoplane technologies. The company's venture fund, Lockheed Martin Ventures (LMV), has announced strategic investments in Regent, a startup engaged in the development of a vehicle that it calls a "marine glider".
Visualization of the proposed military version of the Viceroy electric ekranoplane, developed by the American company Regent (c) RegentAlmost simultaneously, the largest Japanese parcel delivery company Yamato became a strategic investor in Regent.
Earlier, in January, the Japan Airlines Innovation Fund (JAL) also made a "strategic investment" in Regent.
Regent describes its brainchild as a fully electric ekranoplane (that is, an apparatus using the effect of an "aerodynamic screen" formed when the wing moves at a low altitude from the water/ground surface), which combines "high aircraft speed with low boat operating costs."
The developed model - Viceroy can be operated only above the water surface and is designed to carry 12 passengers and cargo at speeds up to 300 km/h over a distance of 300 km. In the cargo version, the payload will be 1.6 tons, the volume of the cargo compartment will be 10 cubic meters.
The Viceroy ekranoplane is equipped with a distributed electric power plant with eight electric motors powered by batteries and driving propellers located along the leading edge of the wing.
Initially, it was developed as an eco-friendly alternative commercial mode of transport for transportation on regional water routes from port to port. But the developer is confident that such devices will be able to perform combat missions, including logistics, search and rescue and transport.
The US armed forces are looking for ways to adapt their operations to the conditions of the Indo-Pacific region due to the growing political tensions in relations with China. As part of this strategy, equipment capable of taking off and landing directly from the water is in the Pentagon's attention zone.
Regent intends to certify its vehicle with the Maritime Authority and thus avoid the more complex and lengthy process of airworthiness certification by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The Viceroy is expected to enter service in 2025.
Due to the fact that the glider is a marine vessel, not an aircraft, its operation requires a captain, not a pilot, therefore, both for commercial operators and for the military department, it helps to solve the problem of a chronic shortage of flight personnel.
The software of the digital flight control system allows the captain to control the glider using "shipboard" controls - left and right, fast and slow - while controlling all other parameters, such as altitude, pitch, roll, using software. Therefore, it is easy to make a drone out of Viceroy, if such a task arises.
Until now, Regent's sales have been limited to the commercial sector: the company claims to have received orders for more than 400 units from customers specializing in both aviation and maritime transportation, including Hawaii's Mokulele Airlines, American Southern Airways Express, Germany's FRS and New Zealand's Ocean Flyer.
However, investments from Lockheed expand the scope of application and increase the chances of implementing a disruptive program. The amount of Lockheed's participation in Regent has not been disclosed, as well as the ownership share.
Visualization of the proposed military version of the Viceroy electric ekranoplane, developed by the American company Regent (c) Regent
