Coulson Aviation’s Tanker 138 Becomes First Large Airtanker Under Contract to U.S. Wildland Fire Service

C-130H combines 4,000-gallon capacity, tactical performance and Coulson’s RADS-XXL retardant delivery system

THERMAL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Coulson Aviation today announced that Tanker 138, a Lockheed C-130H registered as N382CG, began a 60-day Exclusive Use contract last week with the U.S. Wildland Fire Service. The contract makes Tanker 138 the first Large Airtanker placed under contract by the newly established federal service.

At 4,000 U.S. gallons, Tanker 138 carries the largest retardant load available in the Large Airtanker class. The C-130H combines that capacity with four-engine turboprop performance, low-speed handling and strong climb capability, giving flight crews the flexibility to operate effectively in demanding terrain and changing wildfire conditions.

Tanker 138 is equipped with Coulson’s proprietary RADS-XXL retardant delivery system. RADS-XXL provides flight crews with cockpit control of flow rate and coverage level, allowing the aircraft to deliver a consistent retardant line across different terrain, airspeeds and drop profiles.

The system’s high-flow capability is particularly important during initial attack, when the objective is to place an effective retardant line quickly and contain an emerging fire before it has an opportunity to grow. Combined with the C-130’s tactical operating profile, RADS-XXL allows Coulson crews to make concentrated drops at the head of a fire, when operational conditions permit, and provide the heavier coverage levels needed to improve retardant penetration through thick canopy and dense forest fuels.

RADS-XXL is the latest generation of Coulson’s RADS technology, which has helped set the industry standard for modern aerial retardant delivery.

“Being selected to provide the first Large Airtanker for the U.S. Wildland Fire Service is a significant milestone for Coulson,” said Britton Coulson, President and COO of Coulson Aviation. “Tank size matters, but only if the aircraft and tank can put that load where it is needed. The C-130 gives our crews the performance to work tactically in difficult terrain, while the high-flow capability of RADS-XXL allows them to put a strong retardant line when and where it's required. That combination makes the C-130’s particularly well suited for initial attack and for supporting firefighters on the ground.”

Under the contract, Tanker 138 is supported by dedicated Coulson flight, maintenance, and ground crews. The aircraft provides the USWFS with a high-capacity initial and extended attack resource as the service develops its federal aviation capability.

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service was launched in January 2026 under the U.S. Department of the Interior, bringing Interior’s wildland fire programs together under a single service to strengthen coordination, decision-making and operational capability.

About Coulson Aviation

Coulson Aviation is the world’s largest private aerial firefighting company, with more than 60 years of operational heritage and four decades of aerial firefighting experience.

Operating across North America, South America and Australia, Coulson supports national, state, provincial, regional and local government agencies worldwide. The company operates an advanced mixed fleet of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft supported by proprietary retardant delivery systems, intelligence platforms, engineering, maintenance, training and mission support.

Coulson designs, manufactures, certifies, operates and supports its own aerial firefighting technology, allowing the company to continually improve the safety, accuracy and effectiveness of its aircraft and delivery systems.