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 advance in global aerial wildfire suppression capability.
The initiative aims to sustainably replace legacy VLAT platforms that are approaching the end of their operational service life.
The recent retirement of the MD-11 and DC-10 fleets has highlighted a structural challenge for firefighting agencies worldwide. As older widebody aircraft are phased out, the sector faces a significant reduction in large-scale retardant delivery capacity for high-volume missions.
Coulson’s Boeing 767 VLAT was conceived specifically to address this gap, offering greater payload capacity, lower fuel consumption, and long-term operational sustainability compared to existing platforms.
“The firefighting sector is experiencing rapid changes in available aircraft types, and agencies need solutions that are safe, efficient, and sustainable 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 extremely competitive operating economics. Our program leverages these strengths to deliver performance that surpasses legacy VLATs.”
The 767 VLAT will incorporate the largest version ever developed of the company’s patented RADS (Retardant Aerial Delivery System), while also retaining the capability to carry more than 160 passengers. The retardant tank volume is expected to exceed that of any VLAT currently in operation. The aircraft will be designed around the same multimission and all-risk versatility concept that defines Coulson’s fleet, while delivering substantial gains in payload capacity, fuel efficiency, and maintenance ease throughout its life cycle. According to the company, engineering phases, structural analyses, and systems integration planning are already underway.
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The new 767 VLAT will complement and expand Coulson’s current Large Airtanker fleet, which includes the C-130H Hercules and the 737 Fireliner, currently regarded as the highest-capacity 4,000-gallon LAT solutions in operation.
With the addition of a next-generation VLAT, the company aims to provide firefighting agencies with an additional strategic tool for scenarios requiring sustained, high-volume aerial suppression over extended periods.
Coulson Aviation states that it continues to invest ahead of demand, ensuring its partners have access to reliable, effective aircraft with global support. The Boeing 767 VLAT program represents the next step in the evolution of heavy aerial wildfire suppression and reinforces the company’s position as a leader in delivering safe, innovative, mission-ready solutions to the international firefighting community.
Source and images: Coulson Aviation. This content was created with the assistance of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
