US-based Galactic Holdings has contracted ST Engineering to design and execute the world's first conversion of a B757 into a firefighting aircraft, designated as a Passenger-to-Tanker (P2T) conversion.
The Singapore-based maintenance firm said that it would draw on its experience in converting B757s into cargo aircraft. The first aircraft, which will be converted at ST Engineering's facilities in the United States and is currently scheduled for entry into service in 2024, will hold up to 7,000 gallons (26,500 litres) and will have a longer range than most in-service firefighting jets.
"We have committed to deploying the first Boeing 757P2T in 2024 and building a fleet after the award of the Supplementary Type Certificate. It is an advantage that we can also rely on ST Engineering for maintenance services for our future fleet," Darrin Henry, Managing Member of Galactic Holdings, said.
Galactic Holdings plans to secure 10-15 B757P2Ts from ST Engineering in the long run. Although the company said that it has firefighting contracts with the United States Forest Service Aviation, the ch-aviation fleets module does not show it owning or operating any large water bombers. The company does not have a website or any other presence on the internet.
ST Engineering did not respond to ch-aviation's question about the identity and variant of the first B757 to be converted.
Currently, the world's only Boeing converted firefighting aircraft (excluding McDonnell Douglas aircraft) are three B737-300s operated by Coulson Aviation (United States of America) and Coulson Aviation (Australia).
