Coulson Aviation, an aerial firefighting provider, is one of five organizations awarded a 10-year indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity Large Airtanker (LAT) firefighting contract with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS).
The total contract, valued at $7.2 billion, will provide the basis for operations and maintenance service for Coulson’s C-130H Hercules and Boeing 737 FireLiner aircraft.
A Milestone Contract
Coulson Aviation’s expertise in the field of aerial firefighting has been further validated by the 10-year contract awarded by the U.S. Forest Service. Valued at an impressive $7.2 billion, this contract signifies the confidence that the USFS has in Coulson’s capabilities to tackle the challenging task of wildfire suppression.
The legacy of Coulson Aviation is built upon a foundation of experience. As President and COO of the company, Britton Coulson aptly stated, “Our crew members are incredibly skilled, efficient, and operate aircraft second to none.”
With over 60 years of experience in aerial support operations, Coulson Aviation has honed its expertise to stand at the forefront of the industry. The company’s commitment to excellence is palpable, and this is evident in every aspect of their operations.
Cutting-Edge Fleet
One of the defining aspects of Coulson Aviation’s success is its cutting-edge fleet of firefighting aircraft. Operating the largest fleet of civilian Lockheed C-130H airtanker aircraft globally, the company’s reach and capabilities are unmatched.
Notably, Coulson Aviation holds the distinction of being the first and only company globally to convert a Boeing 737 commercial airliner into a FireLiner tanker.
The technological advancements and innovations introduced by Coulson Aviation set their firefighting aircraft apart from the competition.
Each tanker undergoes meticulous preparation, receiving over 40,000 technician hours to ensure full compliance and operational readiness. Notably, the FireLiner stands out due to its unique ability to transport firefighters without the need for reconfiguration.
This aircraft also boasts the capacity to fly at maximum speeds and altitudes while carrying a load of retardant without any restrictions.
The Power of Adaptability
Coulson Aviation’s utilization of the C-130H aircraft underscores their adaptability in tackling diverse firefighting challenges. This aircraft’s remarkable ability to employ makeshift runways for takeoffs and landings, coupled with its onboard infrastructure base, makes it a leading attack aircraft in aerial firefighting missions.
At the heart of Coulson Aviation’s firefighting success lies its innovative retardant aerial delivery system (RADS). With the distinction of being the most widely used and highest-volume 4,000 U.S. gallon tanking systems globally, Coulson’s RADS products are unparalleled.
The system’s seamless integration into each aircraft platform equips firefighting crews with a powerful weapon in their arsenal. Importantly, Coulson’s RADS system reduces pilot workload, provides real-time flow rate information, and ensures superior drop zone coverage.
Coulson Aviation stands out as a unique aerial firefighting company, equipped to handle a wide range of missions. What sets them apart is their dual capability of operating both large fixed-wing and rotary-wing airtanker aircraft for aerial support missions.