Coulson Aviation Launches Boeing 767 VLAT Program to Address Aerial Firefighting Capability Gap

Coulson Aviation USA is launching the Boeing 767 Very Large Airtanker (VLAT) program to address the gap in high-capacity, large-scale retardant delivery capability. The program aims to provide a sustainable replacement for legacy platforms nearing the end of their operational service life. Coulson Aviation USA is backing the Boeing 767 as the next generation of firefighting airtanker giants, citing its proven widebody platform, global support, and parts availability. The company highlighted the recent grounding of the MD11 and DC10 fleets after the UPS MD-11 crash in Louisville on November 4, 2025, as a catalyst for the program. The initiative was first reported by AeroTime.