Thermal, California – December 22, 2025 – Coulson Aviation officially announced the launch of its new Boeing 767 Very Large Airtanker (VLAT) program, marking a significant advance in global airborne wildfire fighting capability.
The initiative aims to sustainably replace older VLAT platforms that are nearing the end of their operational life.
The recent phasing out of MD-11– and DC-10– the fleets have highlighted a structural challenge for fire and rescue authorities worldwide. As older widebody aircraft are taken out of service, the sector faces a significant reduction in the capacity to release large quantities of fire retardant during large-scale operations.
Coulson’s Boeing 767 VLAT has been developed precisely to fill this gap, offering greater payload, lower fuel consumption and long-term operational sustainability compared to existing platforms.
“The firefighting industry is experiencing rapid changes in available aircraft types, and authorities need solutions that are safe, effective and sustainable for decades,” said Britt Coulson, president and CEO of Coulson Aviation USA. “The 767 is a proven widebody platform with global support, wide access to spare parts, modern systems and very competitive operating economics. Our program leverages these advantages to deliver performance that surpasses legacy VLATs.”
The 767 VLAT will integrate the largest version ever developed of the company’s patented Retardant Aerial Delivery System (RADS), while the aircraft retains the ability to carry more than 160 passengers. The volume of the fire retardant tank is expected to exceed all VLATs currently in operational service. The aircraft will be designed around the same multi-role and all-risk concept that characterizes Coulson’s fleet, while delivering significant improvements in payload, fuel efficiency and maintainability throughout its life cycle. According to the company, engineering work, structural analyzes and planning of system integration are already underway.
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The new 767 VLAT will complement and expand Coulson’s existing Large Airtanker fleetwhich includes the C-130H Hercules and 737 Fireliner, and which are currently considered the most capable LAT solutions with a capacity of 4,000 gallons in operational service.
With the supply of a next-generation VLAT, the company wants to give firefighting authorities an additional strategic tool for scenarios that require sustained and high-volume airborne efforts over long periods.
Coulson Aviation says the company continues to invest ahead of demand, ensuring its partners have access to reliable, efficient aircraft with global support. The Boeing 767 VLAT program represents the next step in the development of heavy airborne forest firefighting and strengthens the company’s position as a leading supplier of safe, innovative and mission-ready solutions to the international firefighting environment.
Source and images: Coulson Aviation. This content has been prepared with the help of KI and reviewed by the editors.
