Boeing 747 Supertanker

The aerial firefighting tanker built from the 747 platform.

Overview

Boeing United States ICAO: GST 2006–Present $79 million (2006)

The Boeing 747 Supertanker was a modified 747 designed for large-scale aerial firefighting. Introduced in the 2000s, it aimed to deliver high volumes of fire retardant over wide areas. The aircraft represented one of the largest firefighting platforms ever deployed.

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Specifications

Units
Engine
4 × GE CF6-50E2
Engine type
Turbofan
Thrust
4 × 54,750 lbf · 244 kN
Avionics
—
Wing tips
No winglets
Seats
4
Crew
—
Cabin width
—
Cabin height
—
Cabin length
—
Exterior length
231 ft 11 in  ·  70.70 m
Tail height
64 ft 4 in  ·  19.60 m
Fuselage diameter
21 ft 4 in  ·  6.50 m
Wing span
195 ft 6 in  ·  59.60 m
Baggage volume
2,613 ft³  ·  74.0 m³
Gross weight
—
Empty weight
—
Max takeoff weight
833,000 lb  ·  378,000 kg
Max landing weight
564,000 lb  ·  256,000 kg
Max payload
306,500 lb  ·  139,000 kg
Fuel capacity
54,000 gal · 204,400 L · 163,500 kg (Jet A)
Max cruise speed
520 kt  ·  598 mph  ·  963 km/h
Maximum speed
—
Cruise speed
—
Approach speed
141 kt  ·  162 mph  ·  261 km/h
Range
5,680 nm  ·  6,540 mi  ·  10,520 km
Fuel burn
—
Ceiling
35,000 ft  ·  10,700 m
Rate of climb
1,000 ft/min  ·  5 m/s
Takeoff distance
7,850 ft  ·  2,400 m
Landing distance
6,150 ft  ·  1,870 m
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B747 400 Supertanker cropped

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Operational Context

Boeing 747 Supertanker — large-capacity aerial firefighting aircraft

The Supertanker first flew in firefighting configuration in the mid-2000s. It was converted from existing 747 airframes and fitted with internal tanks. The system allowed rapid dispersal of retardant over wildfires.

Four turbofan engines producing approximately 60,000 pounds of thrust (267 kN) each powered the aircraft depending on donor variant. Cruise speed approached Mach 0.85. Maximum takeoff weight exceeded 800,000 pounds (362,874 kg).

The 747 Supertanker operated in wildfire response across multiple continents. High operating costs and limited demand ultimately curtailed the program. It remains notable for its unprecedented payload capacity in aerial firefighting.

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