The B747-400 SuperTanker is the true “Next Gen” air tanker. It joins the worlds fleet of aerial firefighting tankers not only as the youngest VLAT (Very Large Air Tanker) but with almost twice the capacity of the next largest aerial tanker.
source/image: AIRBOYD
The two separate, but identical constant flow systems are pressurized which allows for either continuous discharge or up to 8 segmented drops.
The system is approved for retardant, gel, foam and water drops or the combination of any two of these agents and ground servicing for another sortie takes approximately 30-35 minutes.
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Powered by four General Electric CF6-80-B1F engines, the 747-400 can carry can carry 19,600gal of water in distance of 7,400km and it only takes 30 minutes to fill it up.
