Flying Ship Technologies is creating a new category of autonomous maritime transportation through Wing-in-Ground (WIG) effect vessels that combine aircraft-like speed with the economics, flexibility, and regulatory advantages of maritime vessels. The company has secured more than $500,000 in non-dilutive funding, completed 100+ prototype flights, achieved TRL-6, and is collaborating with 10+ U.S. government organizations while expanding commercial partnerships across the United States, Caribbean, and Europe. Our patented Ground Effect Lock System (GELS) enables stable autonomous operation over dynamic water conditions, creating a scalable logistics platform spanning payload classes from 50 pounds to 6,000 pounds. Initial markets include defense logistics, humanitarian assistance, offshore energy, island transportation, and regional freight. Flying Ship is building the autonomous maritime logistics platform for the future of distributed operations. Raising a $5M Seed round to complete TRL-7 operational demonstrations, expand military flight testing, convert existing commercial demand into production customers, and prepare for low-rate initial production. The round positions Flying Ship for a Series A focused on manufacturing scale-up and commercial deployment. Core Team: Bill Peterson — Founder & CEO Aerospace engineer and serial entrepreneur with more than $1B in government and commercial contract awards secured over his career. Founder of Flying Ship Technologies and leader of the company's transition from concept to TRL-6 with growing government and commercial validation. Carl Schaefer — Chief Technology Officer Aerospace and defense executive with more than 40 years of experience leading advanced aircraft development, autonomy, and DoD programs. Formerly with Aurora Flight Sciences/Boeing, he has contributed to the design and development of more than 30 aircraft programs and brings extensive expertise in advanced aerospace systems. Paul Amrhein — Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer Senior defense and aerospace executive leading strategic growth, defense transition, and commercialization. Extensive experience developing partnerships, government programs, and technology commercialization across the defense sector.
Bill Peterson
founder
paul-amrhein
other
carl-schaefer
other
Modern logistics lacks an effective solution between slow maritime transport and expensive aviation. Military forces require affordable, autonomous platforms capable of rapidly moving supplies through contested maritime environments, while commercial operators need faster regional logistics without aircraft operating costs. Existing transportation modes force customers to compromise between speed, cost, survivability, and infrastructure. Flying Ship eliminates that tradeoff.
Flying Ship's autonomous Wing-in-Ground effect vessels fly just feet above the water using ground effect, combining aircraft-like speed with maritime operating economics. Our patented-pending Ground Effect Lock System (GELS) autonomously compensates for dynamic sea conditions, enabling reliable operation where previous WIG programs struggled. Our modular product family spans payloads from 50 pounds to more than 6,000 pounds, cruises at 100+ knots with sprint speeds approaching 150 knots, and provides ranges of up to 2,000 nautical miles, depending on configuration. Platforms operate directly from beaches, coastlines, rivers, lakes, and existing maritime infrastructure without airports or runways. Designed for low-cost composite manufacturing, Flying Ships deliver cargo 5-10× faster than conventional surface vessels while dramatically reducing operating costs compared with conventional aircraft.
Flying Ship has established significant government, commercial, and technical validation. • $505K in non-dilutive funding from AFWERX, the U.S. Army, VIPC, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. • Winner of the U.S. Army xTechSearch 9 competition. • Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Navy. • 100+ successful prototype flights validating autonomous operation and achieving TRL-6. • 1 issued U.S. patent with 3 additional patent applications pending. • Commercial Letters of Intent representing 27 Flying Ships across the United States, Caribbean, and Europe. • Strategic teaming agreement with Amentum supporting future Indo-Pacific logistics opportunities. • Active engagement with 10+ government organizations across the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and National Guard.
Flying Ship Company
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