MGI Engineering has unveiled SeaGlide, an autonomous foiling Uncrewed Surface Vehicle (USV) engineered for high-speed, low-signature performance in defence and security operations, from covert reconnaissance to logistics. The all-electric vessel combines long-range endurance with near-silent propulsion and compact hydrofoil design, offering applications in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), tactical logistics, sensor deployment and communications relay in littoral and offshore scenarios.
A key differentiator for SeaGlide is its compatibility with MGI’s Mosquito cargo UAVs, enabling an integrated air-sea asset framework. In this operational model, airborne UAVs deploy from ship, shore or forward base, transfer payloads to or from the SeaGlide maritime leg, and deliver to remote or austere coastal or island locations — all under unmanned, autonomous control. This layered platform architecture aligns with current defence interest in networked unmanned systems that can operate across domains.
SeaGlide’s electric motors are housed within its fins, lifting the hull from the water via adjustable hydrofoils to reduce drag and boost range. Drawing on MGI’s Formula One heritage in lightweight composites and advanced control systems, the platform delivers agile handling, rapid transit and low acoustic and radar signatures even in variable sea states.
The vessel’s BVLOS-certified autonomy suite fuses AIS, radar and optical sensing with advanced collision-avoidance and precision-docking software, enabling launch, transit, docking and recovery without human intervention. A hybrid-electric variant is in development to extend range and payload capacity for heavier reconnaissance or resupply missions.
“SeaGlide is a direct response to the operational and environmental challenges we see in modern maritime missions,” said Mike Gascoyne, MGI’s chief executive officer. “By applying our F1 engineering experience in composites and control systems to the water, we’ve created a low-signature, zero-emission platform capable of performing persistent, autonomous roles that traditionally require crewed assets.”
The Royal Navy has launched early market engagement for a fleet of 20 uncrewed surface vessels under Project Beehive, and in a recent milestone trial five USVs remotely piloted from 500 miles away escorted warships during a three-day exercise. Meanwhile, allied nations such as Denmark are trialling robotic sail-boats for surface surveillance, reflecting the broader transition to multi-domain unmanned systems. Against this backdrop, SeaGlide offers a clear entry point for defence customers seeking scalable, low-risk autonomous maritime platforms with endurance, speed and multi-domain interoperability built-in.
Available in four-metre, five-metre and six-metre variants, SeaGlide is currently undergoing sea trials in UK waters. Operated from a single ruggedised ground station for mission planning, launch and monitoring, the platform is designed for low-cost fleet deployment, networked operations and rapid scaling for multi-vessel missions. Designed, tested and manufactured in the UK, SeaGlide is available for collaboration and licensing to international defence partners.
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