Boeing 747 SuperTanker may cease operations

Global SuperTanker Services - Boeing 747-400F (N744ST) - Photo: Global SuperTanker Services

The group responsible for the Boeing 747-400 Super Tanker operations, the Tanker 944, used in firefighting worldwide, may be ceasing operations with its huge aerial firefighting aircraft. 

The information was obtained from an e-mail sent on April 21st to employees in the US (Colorado, Oregon, and Washington) and also to the US government, which Dan Reese, the president of Global SuperTanker Services, wrote: "This week, the Global SuperTanker investor-owners just informed me that they had made the difficult decision to cease operations of the company, as of this week. It is extremely disappointing, as the plane was configured and equipped with a new system and other improvements to make it safer and more efficient. ” The future of the aircraft is uncertain.

The SuperTanker can carry over 20,000 gallons of water. However, the US government has certified it to hold 19,200 gallons. But usually, the plane takes less than 17,500 gallons.

Water storage system - Photo: AirTeamImages.com - Yochai

Regarding firefighting aircraft and their capabilities, the Boeing 747-446(BCF) has the largest capacity for this type of operation, followed by the Ilyushin IL-76 - with a total of 11,574 gallons and the DC-10, which previously licensed to carry 11,600 gallons, has now been limited to 9,400 gallons.

About the Super Tanker -

Based in Colorado, USA, the Boeing 747-400 SuperTanker is a giant tanker aircraft, being not only the youngest large aircraft in its class but the highest capacity, with almost twice the capacity of the second-placed aircraft - the Ilyushin IL-76.

Global SuperTanker Services - Boeing 747-400F (N744ST) - Photo: AirTeamImages.com - Yochai

Global SuperTanker Services - Boeing 747-400F (N744ST) flight data on RadarBox:

Boeing 747-400F (N744ST) aircraft utilization statistics on RadarBox: