Coulson Aviation has introduced CFR HALO, a next generation long term fire retardant engineered specifically for modern aircraft, tank systems and wildfire missions.
The product is the first to be launched by Coulson EmberWorks, the company’s research and development division focused on advancing aerial firefighting technologies.
Developed through four decades of aerial firefighting operations and close collaboration with firefighters, pilots, engineers and agency partners, CFR HALO has progressed from formulation and internal validation into formal external qualification.
Qualification testing underway
CFR HALO is currently undergoing testing with the Centre d’Essais et de Recherche de l’Entente Valabre, known as CEREN, as part of the French qualification process. At the same time, it is advancing through the USDA Forest Service qualification process for inclusion on the Qualified Products List, or QPL.
Together, these independent qualification programmes will assess the retardant’s performance, environmental profile and operational suitability through two of the world’s leading aerial firefighting qualification systems. The results will provide a technical foundation for potential agency acceptance in Australia and key South American markets.
Designed for modern aerial operations
According to Coulson, CFR HALO features mission optimised viscosity and flow characteristics that are designed to improve drop cohesion, reduce airborne drift and support more accurate placement within the intended target area.
The formulation can be optimised for different aircraft, terrain, weather conditions and mission requirements while maintaining the long term fire retarding performance agencies require.
CFR HALO has also been developed to integrate with existing retardant mixing, loading and application infrastructure, allowing agencies to use established delivery systems without replacing equipment or making significant operational changes.
Built on decades of wildfire experience
The new retardant has been developed using Coulson’s direct operational experience gained over four decades of aerial firefighting.
During that time, the company has witnessed the increasing scale and intensity of wildfire response around the world.
In 2026 alone, Coulson’s fixed wing and rotary wing fleet has delivered more than 10 million gallons of water and wildfire suppressant to incidents worldwide.
Part of a broader innovation programme
CFR HALO expands Coulson’s integrated aerial firefighting model beyond aircraft and tank systems to include the suppressant formulation delivered to the fireline.
It is the first of several technologies currently being developed through Coulson EmberWorks, with future innovations including intelligent sensing, mission systems and next generation aerial response capabilities.
Britt Coulson, President and COO of Coulson Aviation, said: “Wildfires have changed. The aircraft have changed. The retardant hasn’t kept up.
“Many legacy formulations trace their origins to an era before today’s airtankers and precision delivery systems.
“We cannot keep fighting today’s fires with chemistry designed for yesterday’s aircraft. As operators, we had to step in and build what the industry needs next.
“CFR HALO is engineered for modern airtankers, with environmental performance built in from the start and a formulation designed to keep more of each load where firefighters need it.”
