Coulson Aviation USA is backing the Boeing 767 as the next generation of firefighting airtanker giants as it looks to find a sustainable replacement for legacy platforms nearing the end of their operational service life.
On December 22, 2025, Coulson Aviation announced it was launching the Boeing 767 Very Large Airtanker (VLAT) program to mark a “significant advancement in the evolution of aerial firefighting capability”.
The company highlighted the recent grounding of the MD11 and DC10 fleets after the UPS MD-11 crash in Louisville on November 4, 2025, laid bare the structural challenge for firefighting agencies worldwide.
“As older widebody aircraft are retired, the industry faces a significant reduction in high-capacity, large-scale retardant delivery capability,” said a spokesperson for Coulson.
Coulson’s 767 VLAT is being developed to address this gap with an aircraft that offers greater payload, lower fuel burn, and long-term sustainability compared to existing platforms.
“The firefighting community is seeing rapid changes in available airframe types, and agencies need solutions that are safe, efficient, and supportable for decades,” said Britt Coulson, President and CEO of Coulson Aviation USA. “The 767 is a proven widebody platform with global support, parts availability, modern systems, and compelling operating economics. Our program builds on those strengths and will deliver performance beyond what legacy VLATs can provide.”
Coulson’s 767 VLAT will incorporate the largest iteration of their patented RADS retardant delivery system, delivering a tank capacity that exceeds any rival currently in operation.
The aircraft will provide gains in payload capability, fuel efficiency, and long-term maintainability compared to legacy VLAT platforms while retaining the ability to carry over 160 passengers.
“The aircraft will be designed with the same multi-mission, all-risk versatility that defines Coulson’s airtanker fleet,” added the spokesperson.
Coulson’s large airtanker fleet currently includes the C-130H Hercules and the 737 Fireliner. Coulson confirmed that engineering, structural analysis, and systems integration of the new airtanker planning are already underway.
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