SkyMark and Rampmaster Unveil Next-Generation Aviation Refueler Combining Advanced Technologies
SkyMark Companies and Rampmaster have introduced a next-generation aviation refueler that combines engineering expertise, proprietary technologies, and product innovations from both companies to meet the evolving requirements of commercial and general aviation customers. The launch marks a significant milestone in the companies’ collaboration following their acquisition by ATL Partners and represents the first model in a new generation of aviation refueling vehicles scheduled for joint manufacturing.
The companies are showcasing the new 5,000-gallon refueler platform at the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, where visitors can view the vehicle at Booth #3225. The new platform has been developed to deliver improved performance, reliability, operational efficiency, and ease of use for aviation fueling operations.
The refueler is expected to enter joint production in the first quarter of 2027, establishing the foundation for further product development and collaboration between the two manufacturers.
Combining Aviation Refueling Expertise
SkyMark Companies is a manufacturer of aircraft refueling trucks, hydrant dispensers, and other transportation-related specialty vehicles. Rampmaster specializes in aircraft refueling solutions for commercial and general aviation markets. Both businesses have established positions in the aviation support equipment industry, providing products designed to support aircraft fueling and associated ground operations.
The introduction of the new refueler brings together technical capabilities from both organizations in a single vehicle platform. The companies have combined engineering knowledge, intellectual property, and product development expertise to create a solution intended to address the operational demands of aviation customers.
Rather than simply adapting an existing vehicle, the companies engineered the new refueler from the ground up. Its design integrates the pumping architecture, electrical components, control systems, and programming logic into a coordinated platform. This approach is intended to improve system functionality while making the vehicle easier for operators to use, maintain, and support.
The collaboration also reflects a broader effort to align product strategies and commercial plans following the acquisition by ATL Partners. By coordinating their engineering and manufacturing capabilities, SkyMark and Rampmaster aim to develop products that incorporate the strengths of both brands while delivering consistent value to customers.
Steven Paul, Chief Executive Officer of SkyMark Companies, said the collaboration represents an important milestone for the two established aviation industry brands. He highlighted the opportunity to combine approximately half a century of industry expertise and align the organizations around product strategies and go-to-market plans that better serve customer requirements.
Redesigned Platform Focuses on Performance and Reliability
The new 5,000-gallon refueler has been designed around three primary objectives: performance, reliability, and operational efficiency. These priorities are particularly important in aviation fueling, where ground support equipment must function reliably and support the demanding schedules of aircraft operators.
The integrated vehicle architecture combines key mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems. The pumping architecture and electrical components have been developed to work alongside advanced programming logic, supporting coordinated system performance and simplified operation.
Integrating these systems within a unified platform is intended to reduce complexity for operators and maintenance personnel. A more coordinated design can also help make troubleshooting and ongoing equipment support more straightforward.
The vehicle represents the first product in a planned family of refuelers that will incorporate technical differentiators from both SkyMark and Rampmaster. The companies expect the platform to serve as the starting point for additional joint product development.
The focus on reliability and long-term operating costs also reflects the practical requirements of aviation service providers. Refueling equipment is an essential component of airport ground operations, and its performance can influence fueling schedules, maintenance requirements, and the overall efficiency of ground support activities.
Digital Operator Interface Simplifies Controls
One of the most notable features of the new refueler is its redesigned operator control panel. The panel incorporates a fully digital interface intended to provide a more intuitive user experience and simplify interaction with the vehicle’s systems.
The updated interface is designed to make vehicle operation more accessible while supporting diagnostics, maintenance, and technical assistance. By bringing control functions into a modern digital environment, the system aims to help operators monitor and manage equipment more efficiently.
The redesign also addresses the needs of maintenance teams and service personnel. Easier access to diagnostic information can help identify operational issues and support troubleshooting, potentially reducing the time required to investigate equipment problems.
Simplifying the interface is an important consideration for specialized vehicles that combine multiple interconnected systems. Operators need to manage fueling functions while maintaining awareness of equipment status and operating conditions. A well-integrated digital control environment can support these tasks by presenting relevant information through a more consistent interface.
The new panel forms part of the broader engineering approach behind the refueler, which emphasizes integrated technology rather than treating individual components as separate systems.
Engine Management System Targets Fuel and Emissions Savings
The refueler also incorporates Rampmaster’s Engine Management System™ (EMS), a technology designed to improve engine operating efficiency by managing engine performance at extremely low revolutions per minute.
According to the companies, the system has been certified by the Center for Alternative Fuels Engines & Emissions (CAFEE). Rampmaster reports that its EMS technology can deliver fuel savings of up to 43%, emissions reductions of up to 63%, and engine wear savings of up to 46%.
These figures represent the maximum savings reported for the system; actual results can vary depending on operating conditions, usage patterns, and other factors.
Fuel consumption is an important consideration for airport ground support fleets, particularly for equipment that performs repeated fueling operations throughout the day. Improvements in engine efficiency can help operators manage fuel expenditure while supporting broader efforts to reduce the environmental impact of ground operations.
The reported emissions reductions may also help aviation service providers address sustainability objectives associated with their support equipment. Although aircraft operations remain a major focus of aviation emissions initiatives, ground vehicles and airport service equipment also present opportunities for efficiency improvements.
Engine wear is another relevant factor because maintenance requirements and component longevity influence the total cost of owning and operating specialized vehicles. Reducing unnecessary engine stress can help support longer service life and more predictable maintenance planning.
By incorporating EMS into the new refueler, SkyMark and Rampmaster are combining the technology with a wider package of mechanical, electrical, and digital improvements. The objective is to deliver a platform that balances operational performance with fuel efficiency and long-term ownership costs.
Designed to Improve Total Cost of Ownership
Beyond the vehicle’s technical features, the new refueler is intended to provide customers with a competitive combination of performance, reliability, price, and long-term cost of ownership.
Owen Watkins, Chief Operating Officer of Rampmaster, said the companies had delivered the first model in a family of refuelers that brings together the strongest product differentiators and competitive advantages of both brands. He emphasized the intended customer benefits, including performance, reliability, pricing, and ownership costs over the equipment’s service life.
For aviation operators, the initial purchase price is only one part of the financial equation. Fuel consumption, maintenance requirements, component durability, diagnostic capabilities, and equipment availability can all influence the overall cost of operating a refueling vehicle.
The integration of the digital control panel and engine management technology is intended to address several of these considerations. Simplified diagnostics and maintenance support may help service teams identify issues more efficiently, while improvements in engine efficiency could contribute to lower fuel consumption and reduced wear.
The vehicle’s integrated design also reflects an effort to deliver consistent functionality across its systems. For customers managing specialized ground support fleets, a well-engineered platform can support operational planning and maintenance processes.
The actual financial benefits will depend on how the equipment is used and maintained in service. Nevertheless, the combination of engineering integration and efficiency-focused technologies is central to the companies’ value proposition for the new refueler.
ATL Partners Acquisition Accelerates Integration
The launch comes approximately ten months after ATL Partners acquired SkyMark Companies and Rampmaster, bringing the two businesses together as part of a broader specialty vehicle and equipment platform serving aviation and transportation-related markets.
The acquisition established a foundation for closer coordination between the manufacturers, including product development, production planning, supplier management, and operational processes. The jointly developed refueler is an early tangible result of that integration.
Since the acquisition, the companies report progress across several areas of their operations. These efforts include expanded production capabilities across five strategic manufacturing locations, the introduction of Lean Manufacturing initiatives, and closer coordination of supplier relationships.
The expanded manufacturing capabilities are intended to strengthen production flexibility and support customer requirements across the combined organization. Operating across multiple strategic locations can provide a broader manufacturing footprint for specialized equipment, although the companies have not disclosed a detailed production allocation for the new refueler.
Lean Manufacturing initiatives are another component of the integration effort. These practices are designed to identify inefficiencies, improve workflows, and reduce unnecessary complexity in production processes. The companies say the initiatives are helping improve efficiency and customer responsiveness.
Supplier coordination is also part of the strategy. By combining supplier relationships and standardizing commonly used parts, SkyMark and Rampmaster aim to create greater consistency across their operations and deliver improved value to customers.
Standardization can support more efficient procurement and inventory management while potentially simplifying parts availability and maintenance support. The specific savings and operational effects of these initiatives have not been quantified, but the companies have identified them as important areas of progress since the acquisition.
Establishing a Foundation for Future Product Development
The introduction of the 5,000-gallon refueler signals the beginning of a broader collaboration between SkyMark and Rampmaster. Both companies intend to use their combined engineering capabilities and manufacturing resources to develop additional products that address the requirements of aviation customers.
The first jointly developed vehicle establishes a common platform for bringing together technologies and expertise from both organizations. Its integrated design, digital controls, and engine management capabilities illustrate the approach the companies are taking toward future product development.
The planned start of joint manufacturing in the first quarter of 2027 will be an important next step in bringing the platform from its unveiling to production. The companies have not announced detailed production volumes or a broader delivery schedule.
For the aviation sector, specialized refueling vehicles remain an essential part of airport infrastructure and ground support operations. Equipment manufacturers are expected to balance dependable performance with operational efficiency, maintenance support, and cost considerations.
SkyMark and Rampmaster are positioning their new platform around these requirements while continuing to integrate their businesses following ATL Partners’ acquisition. The companies’ progress in manufacturing, supplier coordination, and process improvement provides the operational context for the product launch.
With the new refueler, the manufacturers aim to demonstrate how shared engineering expertise and coordinated product development can translate into a practical solution for aviation customers. The vehicle marks an initial step in their joint product strategy and establishes a foundation for further collaboration across their aviation refueling equipment portfolios.
About Rampmaster:
Rampmaster is the premier manufacturer of aircraft refuelers, ranging in size from a 3,000-gallon up to the 17,500-gallon refueler, as well as the industry’s solution for a fully electric 5,000-gallon and 9,000-gallon refueler. The company is known for its technical innovation, superior craftsmanship, and customer service to commercial aviation, general aviation, fuel service providers, military and cargo verticals, and partners.