Coulson Aviation USA has announced the launch of its Boeing 767 Very Large Airtanker (VLAT) program, representing a major step forward in the advancement of aerial firefighting technology. The initiative is designed to provide a long-term, sustainable replacement for aging VLAT platforms that are approaching the end of their service life.
The recent withdrawal of legacy aircraft such as the MD-11 and DC-10 fleets has underscored a growing challenge for firefighting agencies worldwide. As older widebody airframes are retired, the industry faces a declining capacity for large-volume aerial retardant delivery. Coulson’s 767 VLAT has been conceived to address this shortfall by offering increased payload capacity, improved fuel efficiency, and long-term operational sustainability compared to existing solutions.
Britt Coulson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Coulson Aviation USA, said “The aerial firefighting landscape is evolving rapidly, and agencies require platforms that are safe, efficient, and supportable well into the future. The Boeing 767 is a proven, globally supported aircraft with modern systems and strong operating economics. Our VLAT program leverages these advantages to deliver capabilities that go beyond those of legacy platforms.”
The Boeing 767 VLAT will feature the largest configuration of Coulson’s patented RADS retardant delivery system, while maintaining the ability to carry more than 160 passengers. Its retardant tank capacity will exceed that of any VLAT currently in operation. Designed with Coulson’s hallmark multi-mission versatility, the aircraft will offer significant improvements in payload, fuel burn, and long-term maintainability. Engineering, structural analysis, and systems integration activities are already in progress.
This next-generation VLAT will complement Coulson’s existing fleet of Large Airtankers, including the C-130H Hercules and the 737 Fireliner, which together represent the highest-capacity 4,000-gallon LAT platforms in service today. The addition of the 767 VLAT will provide firefighting agencies with an enhanced strategic option for extended, high-volume aerial suppression operations during large-scale incidents.
Coulson Aviation continues to invest proactively to ensure its partners have access to reliable, mission-ready aircraft with global supportability. The Boeing 767 VLAT program represents the next evolution in heavy aerial firefighting and reinforces Coulson’s leadership in delivering innovative, safe, and operationally sustainable solutions to firefighting agencies worldwide.
Coulson Aviation is the world’s largest aerial firefighting company, backed by more than 60 years of aviation operations and over 40 years of dedicated aerial firefighting experience. The company operates globally across North America, South America, Europe, and Australia, serving county, state, and federal agencies.
Coulson maintains a next-generation fleet of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, supported by integrated retardant systems, intelligence platforms, training, and mission support services. By investing ahead of demand, focusing on in-production airframes, and driving continuous innovation, Coulson Aviation is shaping the future of aerial firefighting while safeguarding communities, natural resources, and critical infrastructure.
