Air Tanker News: New Supertanker to be the fastest, longest-range, and most effective aerial firefighting platform in the world.

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Air Tanker News: New Supertanker to be the fastest, longest-range, and most effective aerial firefighting platform in the world.

Global SuperTanker Services, LLC, a subsidiary of Cyterna Air LLC, is pleased to announce completion of a definitive agreement to convert and operate Boeing 747-400 aircraft to be the fastest, longest-range, and most effective aerial firefighting platform in the world.

"Definitive agreement to convert and operate Boeing 747-400 aircraft to be the fastest, longest-range, and most effective aerial firefighting platform in the world."

Evergreen 747 Supertanker departs Ben Gurion Airport, Israel, (2007)
Credit: Wikipedia

Cyterna Air, LLC is a portfolio company of an investment fund managed by private equity firm Alterna Capital Partners.

Jim Wheeler, President and CEO of Global SuperTanker Services has re-assembled core members of the former Evergreen Supertanker project team to install the pressurized tank system previously proven in a 747-100 with the significantly higher-performance and lower operating cost modern B747-400BCF (Boeing Converted Freighter).

The aircraft has a number of unique capabilities, including the ability to stand by on the ground fully loaded, deliver a variety of firefighting agents, respond rapidly over long distances, loiter over fire areas for extended periods, segment drops and land fully or partially loaded to avoid wasting firefighting agents.

The SuperTanker operates from most designated VLAT bases staying close to the fire location saving time and fuel.

Wheeler commented, “The current worsening trends in wildfires globally demand more capable response tools. The Boeing 747-400 represents a modern, strong, high performance platform capable of flying more than 4000 nautical miles at a cruise speed of 565 miles per hour, at pressurized altitudes, fully loaded, then directly deploying nearly 20,000 gallons of a range of liquids including retardant, water, gel and foaming agents. We believe the Global SuperTanker will be a “force multiplier” for the men and women who are on the front line of controlling wildfires".

Harry Toll, Managing Partner of Alterna Capital commented, “Alterna invests capital to build valuable capabilities in vital industries. We believe strongly that the SuperTanker will add a new dimension to protecting forests, homes and lives through a powerful combination of speed, capacity and precision. In the US and many countries around the world there is an effort to deploy a ‘new generation’ of aerial tankers. We are working to deliver this and other aircraft to meet that need.”

For information about Global SuperTanker Services, LLC contact Jim Wheeler (855) 910-4562 or jim(dot)wheeler(at)globalsupertanker(dot)com.
For Information about Alterna Capital, LLC contact Harry Toll (203) 557-9024 or harry(dot)toll(at)alternacapital(dot)com .

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How fires get their names

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Wednesday, August 12, 2015