Thermal, California – December 22, 2025 – Coulson Aviation has officially announced the launch of its new Boeing 767 Very Large Airtanker (VLAT) program, marking a significant step in global air-based wildland firefighting capability.
The initiative aims to sustainably replace older VLAT platforms that are nearing the end of their operational life.
The recent decommissioning of the MD-11– in DC-10fleets has exposed a structural challenge for firefighting services worldwide. With the retirement of older widebody aircraft, the industry faces a significant reduction in the ability to drop large amounts of fire retardant on large-scale missions.
Coulson’s Boeing 767 VLAT is specifically designed to fill this gap, offering increased payload, improved fuel economy and long-term operational durability compared to existing platforms.
“The aerial firefighting industry is experiencing rapid changes in the availability of aircraft types, and agencies need solutions that are safe, efficient and durable for decades,” said Britt Coulson, president and CEO of Coulson Aviation USA. “The 767 is a proven widebody platform with global support, broad parts availability, modern systems and highly competitive operating costs. Our program leverages these advantages to deliver performance that exceeds that of legacy VLATs.”
The 767 VLAT will integrate the largest ever developed version of the company’s patented RADS (Retardant Aerial Delivery System) system, while also retaining the capacity to carry more than 160 passengers. The volume of the retardant tank is expected to be greater than that of all VLATs currently in service. The aircraft will be designed according to the same multi-mission and “all-risk” concept that characterizes Coulson’s fleet, while offering significant improvements in payload, fuel efficiency and serviceability throughout its life cycle. According to the company, the engineering phases, structural analyzes and system integration planning have already been initiated.
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The new 767 VLAT will replace the existing one Coulson’s Large Airtanker fleet complement and expand, which includes the C-130H Hercules and the 737 Fireliner, currently considered the most powerful 4,000-gallon LAT solutions in operational service.
With the addition of a new generation VLAT, the company aims to provide firefighting services with an additional strategic tool for scenarios that require long-term, large-scale and continuous aerial firefighting.
Coulson Aviation states that it continues to invest in anticipation of demand, ensuring partners have access to reliable, effective aircraft with global support. The Boeing 767 VLAT program represents the next step in the evolution of heavy-duty airborne wildland firefighting and strengthens the company’s position as a leader in delivering safe, innovative and mission-ready solutions to the international firefighting community.
Source and images: Coulson Aviation. This content was created using AI and reviewed by editors.
