Coulson Aviation 767 is about to reshape Very Giant Airtanker (VLAT) operations as legacy firefighting plane close to retirement.
You probably have adopted aerial firefighting over the previous few years, you already know the uncomfortable reality. The fleet of very massive airtankers that businesses have relied on for many years is growing older out quick. With the current grounding of MD-11s and DC-10s, that actuality has gone from theoretical to very actual.
That backdrop is what makes this week’s announcement from Coulson Aviation such an enormous deal. Coulson formally launched its Boeing 767 VLAT program, a transfer that alerts the long run route of high-capacity aerial firefighting.
A Rising Hole in Firefighting Capability
The retirement of older widebody plane is making a critical capability downside for firefighting businesses worldwide. Platforms just like the McDonnell Douglas DC-10 and Boeing MD-11 have delivered large volumes of retardant when fires demanded it. However as these airframes disappear, so does that functionality.
The state of affairs was underscored even additional after the crash of UPS Flight 2976, an MD-11, in Louisville earlier this yr, which accelerated the grounding of the remaining MD-11 and DC-10 airtankers. The result’s a growing shortfall of ample tools to struggle wildfires.
Coulson’s reply is to step ahead earlier than that hole turns into unmanageable.
Why the Boeing 767 Makes Sense
Coulson selected the Boeing 767 as a result of it boasts an extended and dependable observe report throughout passenger, cargo, and particular mission roles. In line with Britt Coulson, President and CEO of Coulson Aviation USA, the attraction is easy.
“The 767 is a confirmed widebody platform with world assist, elements availability, fashionable methods, and compelling working economics,” Coulson said. “Our program builds on these strengths and can ship efficiency past what legacy VLATs can present.”
READ MORE ON AVGEEKERY
The 767 affords world elements availability, fashionable methods, and working economics that make sense for many years of service. It’s also a platform with sufficient efficiency margin to outperform legacy VLATs in payload whereas burning much less gasoline within the course of.
Finally, what makes it most tasty to Coulson is that it’s an airplane constructed for the lengthy haul, fairly than a stopgap resolution.
Larger Tank, Identical Coulson DNA
The Coulson Aviation 767 tanker will characteristic the most important model but of the corporate’s patented RADS retardant supply system. The tank capability is anticipated to exceed that of any VLAT at the moment flying, whereas nonetheless preserving a shocking functionality. The plane will retain the flexibility to hold greater than 160 personnel when configured for transport missions.
That flexibility may be very a lot on model for Coulson. Like the corporate’s current fleet, which incorporates the Lockheed Martin C-130H Hercules and the Boeing 737 Fireliner, the 767 VLAT is being designed as a real multi-mission platform. Engineering, structural evaluation, and methods integration planning are already underway.
The Subsequent Evolution of VLAT Operations
Slightly than changing its present plane, Coulson sees the 767 VLAT as a pressure multiplier. The brand new tanker is designed to enhance current massive airtankers, offering businesses with a further instrument when fires require sustained, high-volume retardant supply over prolonged durations.
That is additionally very a lot a forward-looking funding. Coulson has an extended historical past of constructing functionality forward of demand, and the 767 VLAT suits squarely into that sample. As legacy platforms fade out, the trade wants one thing that may carry the mission ahead safely, effectively, and at scale.
With the Boeing 767 VLAT, Coulson is making it clear that the way forward for very massive airtankers doesn’t should imply much less capability. If something, it’d imply extra, delivered by an airplane constructed to stay round for many years.
