Marines Test Drone Deployment from Helicopters to Enhance Maritime Operations
The U.S. Marine Corps is experimenting with the deployment of drones from helicopters to improve maritime operations. In a recent exercise off the coast of California, Marines launched small first-person-view drones from UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper helicopters. This initiative aims to use drones as a scouting tool to gather intelligence on ships before boarding, thereby reducing risks associated with such operations. The drones, known as Neros Archer, are relatively inexpensive, costing a few thousand dollars each. The exercise also explored the concept of helicopters serving as airborne motherships for smaller drones, a tactic already in use in conflict zones like Ukraine. This approach allows drones to extend their operational range without exposing operators to danger. 
