US Company Leans on Proven Widebody Platform for Sustainable Solution to Retiring Aircraft Shortage

Coulson Aviation USA has announced its support for the Boeing 767 Very Large Airtanker (VLAT) program, aiming to find a sustainable replacement for legacy platforms. The company highlighted the recent grounding of MD11 and DC10 fleets after the UPS MD-11 crash in Louisville on November 4, 2025, as a significant challenge for firefighting agencies worldwide. According to AeroTime, 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.