Summer Fury 21: Defensive Counter Air Operation

 

AH-1Z Viper's with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 469, Marine Air Group 39, 3rd Marine Air Wing (MAW), maneuver through the air while executing a defense counter air operation in support of Summer Fury 21 in California, July 13, 2021. HMLA-469 deployed two AH-1Z Viper’s loaded with Air Intercept Missile (AIM) 9 Sidewinders to neutralize an unmanned aerial system in order to maintain a competitive edge over our adversaries. (SNAFU! Blog question...can an AH-1Z fly high or fast enough to engage a heavyweight UAV? If not then can it effectively engage Predator sized birds?  Could they,Chinese UAVs, knock it down if they're engaged?)