Meet HALIA: The Float-n-Fly Maritime Drone That Also Flies Under the Radar

By: Dawn Zoldi

Levanta Tech engineered its novel maritime drone, “HALIA,” to seamlessly transition between air and ocean. It combines a patented Hoverfoil™ system with robust float and fly features that give it the ability to remain low-profile at sea before rising and launching into aerial flight. Read on to better appreciate what makes this flying swimmer robot so unique…and why it stopped me in my tracks at this year’s AFA Air, Space and Cyber Conference.

Levanta Tech founder Kelly Echols named the drone HALIA, which is part of the scientific name for Ospreys to symbolize a robot that belongs at the interface of ocean and sky…and closes some glaring operational gaps. Founder Kelly Echols and Levanta Tech’s engineers brought Echols’ vision to life in 2023 with the completion of the first prototype. 

Jon Smith, Chief Aviation Officer at Levanta Tech, who has helped drive the HALIA project from concept to realization, put it directly,  “Unmanned systems that you have right now can take off and fly. They have incredible ranges and long duration times up in the air. What they don’t have is weeks out there… waiting and being able to stay in areas undetected.” 

HALIA, on the other hand, sits nearly invisible on the ocean, while ready to lift off in seconds when needed. “The Hoverfoils™… not only act as a way to get us out of the water, but they also act as anchors to keep us in the water,” explained Smith.

This maritime drone can loiter afloat persistently, for “weeks on station,” Smith said, whereas traditional unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) last only hours. “The uniqueness and the capability gap filler that this can be… I’m very excited about it,” he said. Smith’s enthusiasm should mean something, as he has over 20 years of experience across military aviation, unmanned systems development and FAA policy work. 

Whether monitoring contested waters or supporting a rescue, the HALIA’s ability to act as a semi-submersible, then leap into the air, fills a crucial need for a virtually invisible, and versatile, maritime presence.

Water may essentially cloak HALIA, but this drone is anything but small. Sitting at approximately 8 feet by 9 feet, it weighs in at a hefty 100 lbs. As for endurance, as mentioned, it can remain for weeks in the ocean in “float” mode, with the capability to launch into the air in near-instant airborne response.

An electric battery powers this water bird, but a military-spec version will likely include a hybrid option as well. And it’s fast. It can cruise at 100+ knots, with rapid egress and redeployment.

Importantly, HALIA supports a modular, open-system architecture. End users can add infrared cameras, comms relays, survival supplies for downed aircrew or early warning payloads, basically whatever the mission demands. With its advanced capabilities, Levanta Tech presented HALIA at a recent defense event to demonstrate its potential to support diverse mission needs. According to Smith, its design emphasizes discretion, endurance, and adaptability, making it well-suited for a variety of operational scenarios. He noted that deploying multiple HALIA systems across broad areas could help create flexible networks that can be activated when and where required. 

The company also envisions HALIA supporting civil operations as well, such as offshore wind farm maintenance, environmental monitoring, port management and disaster response.

And Levanta Tech is putting the drone through its paces, in terms of hardware, software and regulatory readiness. The company is actually testing HALIA with close attention to both maritime and aviation regulations. Smith’s FAA and safety background ensures proactive compliance, especially when operating within U.S. territorial waters, a readiness issue for defense and commercial partners alike.

Levanta Tech’s HALIA is more than a drone. It’s a technological wonder that rewrites the rules for long-duration, covert maritime operations. With a design philosophy that blends adaptability, low observability and true multi-domain integration, HALIA will undoubtedly elevate the standards and ambitions of unmanned maritime systems worldwide.

The company welcomes engagement from researchers, partners and prospective clients eager for more details or collaborative opportunities.