REGENT Craft secured $240 million in Series B funding on August 27, 2026, providing the capital required to transition its wing-in-ground-effect (WIG) Seaglider vessels from development into full-scale manufacturing. The funding round, split evenly between equity and debt, paves the way for the imminent first human flight of the company’s Viceroy prototype in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

In a press release issued by the company, REGENT confirmed the investment brings its total raised capital to $340 million. The round was co-led by Mare Liberum, AE Ventures, and Erebor Bank, with participation from defense and commercial stakeholders including Lockheed Martin Ventures and Japan Airlines. The capital injection coincides with the completion of a 255,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and supports a commercial order book reportedly valued at over $10 billion.

Scaling production and certification milestones

The Series B funding marks a definitive shift for the Rhode Island-based manufacturer as it prepares to fulfill existing commercial orders. According to reporting by Tectonic Defense, REGENT co-founder and CEO Billy Thalheimer indicated the company has booked several years of manufacturing capacity and is eager to deliver on firm commercial orders backed by cash deposits.

“This investment marks a critical inflection point for REGENT as we move from development into production,” Thalheimer stated in the press release. “We have built significant momentum across both our defense and commercial pipelines, and this funding enables us to scale manufacturing, execute key certification milestones, and deliver Seagliders to customers.”

Resilience Media reported that full production of the Seagliders is expected to commence no earlier than 2027. The immediate focus remains on executing certification requirements and conducting the first crewed flight operations of the Viceroy platform.

Expanding defense and maritime security applications

While commercial passenger operations form a significant portion of REGENT’s backlog, defense applications have driven substantial investor interest. The company recently secured an expanded $15 million contract with the U.S. Marine Corps for the Viceroy platform. Additionally, REGENT’s autonomous Squire drone recently completed demonstrations at the military experimentation event Silent Swarm.

Thalheimer noted to Tectonic Defense that investor conviction in this round was heavily driven by the company’s expanding defense portfolio. This sentiment was echoed by Marcin Kowalik, General Partner at Balnord. Kowalik told Resilience Media the investment decision was driven by the need for maritime security along NATO’s eastern flank. He noted that the manufacturer’s specific WIG technology will be vital for maintaining safe operations in regions like the Baltic Sea.

AirPro News analysis

The ability to secure $120 million in debt alongside $120 million in equity suggests maturing institutional confidence in wing-in-ground-effect technology. While the broader advanced air mobility (AAM) sector often struggles to transition from prototyping to production due to capital constraints, REGENT’s dual-use strategy appears to be insulating it from market headwinds. We view the U.S. Marine Corps contract and the strategic location of the new 255,000-square-foot facility as indicators that the company is positioning itself as a primary maritime mobility provider for both civilian operators and the Department of Defense. The true test will be navigating the certification framework, as WIG vessels occupy a unique regulatory space between maritime and aviation authorities.

Sources: REGENT Craft

Brussels Airport (BRU) has initiated real-world trials of an autonomous electric tow tractor within its cargo zone, marking the first deployment of self-driving cargo transport at a Belgian Airports.

In a press release issued on August 24, 2026, the airport announced the pilot program in partnership with WFS Cargo and Charlatte Autonom, a joint venture between Charlatte Manutention and Navya Mobility. The trial is part of the European Stargate programme, a five-year initiative funded by the European Green Deal to test sustainable and efficient aviation technologies.

Operational parameters and vehicle specifications

The autonomous vehicle combines a logistics platform developed by Charlatte Manutention with an autonomous driving system from Navya Mobility. Operating on predefined routes between cargo warehouses and the airport aprons, the electric tow tractor is designed to navigate the complex ground environment without an onboard operator.

During the trial phase, the vehicle is restricted to a maximum speed of 12 km/h while in autonomous mode. It has the capacity to tow up to four cargo trailers simultaneously.

“This project with Brussels Airport once again illustrates the expertise of Charlatte Manutention and Navya Mobility in deploying autonomous mobility solutions within complex and demanding airport environments,” said Jean-Claude Bailly, CEO of Navya Mobility. “Safety and reliability are paramount in the design of our products, whose technology enables fully autonomous operation, without an operator on board, when regulatory conditions allow.”

Cargo volume context and Stargate integration

The Automation trial arrives during a period of high cargo throughput for Brussels Airport. The facility handled nearly 420,000 tonnes of Cargo-Aircraft in the first half of 2026, representing an 8.3% increase compared to the same period in 2025. While July 2026 saw a slight 3.2% decline to 66,600 tons due to drops in trucked replacement traffic and express services, full cargo charters and belly cargo volumes continued to grow.

The autonomous tractor pilot is a key deliverable in the fifth and final year of the Stargate programme. Launched in November 2021, the €24.8 million initiative is led by Brussels Airport and includes a consortium of 22 partners focused on mobility, energy, and technology solutions.

“At Brussels Airport, we continue to explore innovative and sustainable solutions that can tangibly strengthen cargo operations,” said Arnaud Feist, CEO of Brussels Airport. “Thanks to this project, we can gain valuable insights into the potential of autonomous technologies, and into what they can deliver in terms of efficiency and Sustainability, while people remain key to operations and the highest Safety standards are maintained.”

AirPro News analysis

We view the deployment of autonomous ground support equipment as a necessary evolution for major cargo hubs facing persistent labor constraints and ambitious emissions targets. The controlled, highly regulated environment of an airport apron provides an ideal testing ground for geofenced autonomous vehicles. By limiting the initial trial to predefined routes and a strict 12 km/h speed limit, Brussels Airport and its partners are prioritizing safety data collection over immediate operational throughput. If successful, this pilot could establish a regulatory and operational framework for broader autonomous ground handling adoption across European airports.

Sources: Brussels Airport

Talica, a surface science technology platform backed by JLL Partners, has acquired Minneapolis-based Hard Anodize, Inc. to expand its precision aluminum anodizing capabilities for the aerospace and defense sectors.

In a press release issued on August 18, 2026, the North Andover, Massachusetts-based company confirmed the acquisitions adds specialized surface treatment services to its growing portfolio. The move increases Talica’s operational footprint in the Upper Midwest and integrates a facility holding AS9100, ISO 9001, and National Aerospace and Defense Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP) certifications.

Strategic expansion in surface technologies

Talica, established in 2025, has been actively consolidating specialized service providers. The integration of Hard Anodize follows the previous acquisitions of Pure Clean Systems, Celco Inc., and Sieber Industrial. These additions have broadened the company’s offerings in high-purity cleaning, metal surface treatment, and specialty fabrication.

Hard Anodize brings 30 years of experience in the metal finishing sector. The company focuses on precision aluminum anodizing, a critical process for aerospace and medical device manufacturing where component durability and corrosion resistance are strictly regulated.

Talica Chief Executive Officer Paul Belliveau stated the acquisition aligns with the company’s strategy of uniting established surface technology businesses.

“We believe Hard Anodize’s highly technical capabilities will be an ideal addition to Talica’s family of companies,” Belliveau said in the release.

Operational continuity and industry certifications

The Minneapolis-area facility will maintain its current quality management systems. For aerospace and defense supply chains, maintaining continuous NADCAP process approvals and AS9100 certification is a primary requirement during ownership transitions.

Former Hard Anodize co-owner Brain Alesen noted the transaction will provide new opportunities for both customers and employees. Alesen emphasized that the integration into a larger platform will introduce expanded services to their existing client base.

AirPro News analysis

We view Talica’s rapid acquisition strategy as a clear indicator of ongoing consolidation within the lower and middle tiers of the aerospace supply-chain. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) increasingly prefer to work with larger, multi-capability suppliers rather than managing fragmented networks of specialized finishing shops. By rolling up companies with established NADCAP approvals, Talica positions itself to capture larger contract volumes from prime contractors who require stringent quality control across multiple surface treatment processes.

Sources: Talica (via Business Wire)