LeVanta Tech Demonstrates HALIA Float-And-Fly Drone at Naval Exercise
LeVanta Tech recently demonstrated its HALIA unmanned system at ANTX Coastal Trident. The platform links air, surface, subsea, and seabed assets over long distances. HALIA is a float and fly drone, capable of landing on the open ocean and remaining there for weeks in a low power state. It then relaunches for repositioning or departure.
Photos of HALIA reveal an unusual design. The drone sits low in the water with a dark, angular hull riding hull down, mostly submerged. Two cylindrical engine pods sit side by side on top of the fuselage, feeding what appear to be ducted fans. Swept white wings and twin tail fins jut out near the back, just clear of the waterline. A small sensor mast protrudes from one wing root. Its shape does not resemble a conventional aircraft or boat.
HALIA operates as a float and fly drone. It flies to a designated area, then lands directly onto the open ocean. It can remain in this location for weeks in a low power floating state. Afterwards, it relaunches to move or exit the zone, according to LeVanta Tech. The company stated HALIA does not require a dedicated ship or fixed infrastructure, as it moves between air and water independently. And, its reported top speed exceeds 185 kilometres per hour.
At Coastal Trident, LeVanta Tech worked with STR, a defence technology firm specialising in undersea systems and sensors, based near Boston. The collaboration aimed to demonstrate a communications architecture connecting air, surface, subsea, and seabed systems. STR supplied a "rapidly repositionable" command and control air water gateway. This gateway used high technology readiness level components to provide over the horizon, real time command and control links to subsea and seabed systems.
ANTX Coastal Trident is an annual exercise organised by the Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme Division at Port Hueneme, California. It gathers Navy personnel, other government agencies, academic institutions, and industry representatives. The exercise focuses on testing maritime and port security technology within an operational environment.
LeVanta Tech, founded in 2023, started out building real time maritime monitoring tools for the offshore wind industry. But, the organisation later pivoted its focus to defence. Its leadership includes CEO Kelly Echols, an engineer and patent attorney, Chief Aviation Officer Jon Smith, a former P 3C Orion instructor pilot and Navy unmanned aircraft test project manager, and CTO Johnny Doo, who has over 40 years of experience in aircraft and hovercraft development. This information comes from Defense Tech Signals.
The company was among six finalists selected from 260 applicants for the 2024 Gulf Blue Navigator accelerator. A demonstration that year attracted Air Force interest, leading to a USD 1.8 million Direct to Phase II Small Business Innovation Research award. The Air Force Research Laboratory issued a Phase II SBIR contract valued at USD 1.76 million, running until Dec. 2026. This covered a project named "Floating and Loitering Ocean Advanced Technology Sensing," according to federal contract records cited by Defense Tech Signals. LeVanta Tech also secured over USD 1.1 million in early funding, including an USD 800,000 credit investment from Leonid Capital Partners in Apr. 2025. But, these funds support continued development.
LeVanta Tech is developing HALIA in two versions. A battery electric configuration is intended for tactical missions. A hybrid electric version is built for extended range. Both designs are scalable into larger platforms. HALIA incorporates variable buoyancy and a hovercraft assisted launch and recovery system. This allows it to take off and land in rough sea conditions. Loiter times can extend to weeks in its powered down floating mode.
The platform features a modular payload bay. LeVanta Tech states this bay supports intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance sensors, electronic warfare packages, kinetic payloads, and communications equipment. These feed into wider command and control networks. The hull shape and twin engine pods represent a design specifically created for repeated air and water transitions. So, the unusual appearance serves a functional purpose.
LeVanta Tech demonstrated its HALIA unmanned system, linking air, surface, subsea, and seabed assets.
HALIA is a float and fly drone, capable of landing on and relaunching from the open ocean after weeks of low power loitering.
The drone features an unusual hull design, twin engine pods, and a hovercraft assisted launch and recovery system for rough seas.
LeVanta Tech received significant funding, including USD 1.8 million and USD 1.76 million from Air Force SBIR awards.
The platform carries a modular payload bay for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, kinetic payloads, and communications.
Source: Defence Blog
