Name: Sikorsky S-92 Helicopters Get a Second Life as Firefighters
Uploaded: 2025-05-20T17:14:10.000Z
Description: Fireflighting mission is ideal for large rotorcraft nearing the end of their useful lives.

The world’s first firefighting-configured Sikorsky S-92A made its public debut at the Verticon 2025 trade show earlier this year.
Developed by S-92 lessor Milestone Aviation in cooperation with operator VIH Helicopters, it marks the first such-configured S-92 available to the commercial market. The program was launched last summer in British Columbia with the assistance of government wildfire management agencies.
According to the companies, this S-92A has the capacity to carry up to 19 passengers, internal/external cargo, or 5,000 liters (1,320 gallons) of water in the expandable belly-mounted custom-built Helitak carbon fiber tank. The external tank weighs less than 700 pounds empty and is supplemental type certificated for the large-cabin helicopter. With its snorkel, it can fully fill from a body of water in just 48 seconds and can be removed from the helicopter in less than 30 minutes.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Sikorsky S-92 Helicopters Get a Second Life as Firefighters

Fireflighting mission is ideal for large rotorcraft nearing the end of their useful lives.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Kerry Lynch

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Sloane is coming up on its 109th sale of the AW109.

Leonardo, Sloane Mark 30-year Partnership with AW109 Order

Charles Alcock

News and developments about everything that goes into the cabin of an aircraft, from floor coverings to headliners, with a special emphasis on in-flight entertainment, communications and other electronics for passengers. If it is in the cabin of an aircraft, it’s covered here.

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Italian aircraft manufacturer is the sole OEM exhibiting at EBACE 2025

Leonardo Taps Rising Demand for VIP Helicopters

Matt Thurber

Two weeks of testing highlighted the value of quick-reaction fire suppression

Rain Tests Autonomous Black Hawk on Burning Brush

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Pilots need to know to pull collective to eliminate so-called collective bounce

FAA Concerned About Bell 206L Vertical Vibrations

Systems will streamline operations, reduce downtime, and improve reliability 

Alpine Helicopters Picks Camp’s Mx and Inventory Tools

Company posted a $3.5 million net loss

Blade Air Mobility Losses Ease as Pax Revenues Leap

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Verticon 2025

In this article

Sikorsky S-92

Sikorsky Aircraft

More In Rotorcraft

Leonardo, Sloane Mark 30-year Partnership with AW109 Order

Sloane is coming up on its 109th sale of the AW109.

Leonardo Taps Rising Demand for VIP Helicopters

Italian aircraft manufacturer is the sole OEM exhibiting at EBACE 2025

Rain Tests Autonomous Black Hawk on Burning Brush

Two weeks of testing highlighted the value of quick-reaction fire suppression

FAA Concerned About Bell 206L Vertical Vibrations

Pilots need to know to pull collective to eliminate so-called collective bounce

Alpine Helicopters Picks Camp’s Mx and Inventory Tools

Systems will streamline operations, reduce downtime, and improve reliability

Blade Air Mobility Losses Ease as Pax Revenues Leap

Company posted a $3.5 million net loss

Helicopter Deliveries at Leonardo Soften but Orders Jump

Order intake in the quarter was up 15.6%

Bell Celebrates 6,000th Helicopter Made in Mirabel

Ceremony included delivery of two Subaru Bell 412EPXs

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN