Mallard Enterprises is developing the ME-1A, an advanced amphibious regional aircraft designed to disrupt regional air travel by providing runway-independent mobility for passengers and cargo. Based in Brunswick, Maine, the company is building a versatile, multi-role platform capable of operating from land, water, and serving both commercial and defense markets. The ME-1A leverages next-generation composite hull design, modern avionics, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) compatibility, and flexible propulsion systems to deliver best-in-class speed (250 kts), range (2,400 nm), and lower operating cost per seat-mile compared to legacy amphibious aircraft. The platform targets tier 2/3 city connectivity, tourism, cargo, air ambulance, firefighting, and DoD/military applications.
There is no time-efficient, cost-effective, or sustainable regional air travel option connecting tier 2/3 cities to major hubs, as new airport infrastructure costs $1B–$2.5B and existing regional aircraft technology has a 60-year gap. Over 90% of the global population lives within 10 km of water, yet amphibious aviation has been underutilized and underinvested.
The ME-1A is a next-generation amphibious aircraft using composite hull design, advanced simulation, modern materials, and Industry 4.0 manufacturing to deliver runway-independent regional mobility. It offers higher speed, greater range, improved sea-state capability, SAF compatibility, and lower operating costs than existing amphibious or floatplane competitors, with both commercial and DoD configurations on a shared baseline platform.
137 aircraft LOIs received, with 35 aircraft signed Purchase Agreements totaling $400M, 14 PAs in review, 79 in discussion, and 9 LOIs; total backlog estimated at $2.6B ($1.3B aircraft + $1.3B lifetime value spares). Customers span seaplane operators, regional airlines, business aviation, tourism/charter, and leasing companies operating in France, UAE, Turkey, Greece, Italy, India, SE Asia, and South Africa.
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