The utility mission-type is a “default” category which encompasses a particularly wide range of missions. The common feature is that the helicopter operates in a basic configuration, often with a requirement to lift external loads.
Firefighting is an expanding sub-division of the utility mission-type. The requirement includes both dropping water on fires and moving firefighting teams to and from deployment zones.
Other utility missions include construction and forestry, the inspection and cleaning of power lines, tourist flights and aerial filming and photography.
Drones are replacing helicopters in the filming and photography role. EVTOL aircraft are likely to replace traditional helicopters for tourism roles because the short nature of these flights is well served by this new technology. T
Traditional helicopters will continue to dominate missions with load lifting requirements and/or long-range high-pax transportation.
The main heavy load lifting helicopters are the S61, KA-32, Mi-17 and to some extent the H225. In firefighting, the Bell 412 is a popular civil helicopter solution. The S-70 (Firehawk) is frequently used by US-government operators. It is interesting to speculate what other helicopter types may develop into major firefighting platforms – the H225, S-92, AW189 and AW139 are all contended. Almost every type of light helicopter performs some commercial utility work.