In 1996, a program was developed between the US Navy and the Office of Aircraft Services (now called Aviation Management Directorate) that would allow commercially contracted helicopters to safely recover target drones. Target drones are relatively sophisticated, jet powered, remotely controlled aerial vehicles used during Navy ship weapon systems tests and trials. Once launched over the open sea, getting them out of the salt water as soon as possible is essential which is only feasible through aviation support. The Navy has performed some aerial retrieval of the drones but are limited to only 40 miles over water and their crewmembers cannot enter the water if the drone's parachute has not detached or has become tangled. Once the missile has been launched and hits the water a green dye is released to pinpoint its location. Commercial helicopters can then recover the missile up to 100 miles offshore. Commercial crewmembers are also trained to jump from the helicopter to disentangle and remove the drone's parachute.

Before the first drone was ever recovered, OAS worked with the Navy to design and build the recovery equipment. To ensure safety was foremost, a manual detailing the procedures, training, and equipment care was developed by Northrop Grumman Information Technology, who oversees the program for their Navy customer. OAS personnel designed and implemented training programs for both pilots and the recovery specialist crewmembers. These programs include classroom, pool, and in-flight training.

Air Center Helicopters, Ft Worth, Texas has been under an OAS awarded contract since the inception of this recovery program to provide the specially equipped aircraft to support the Navy's AEGIS ship testing program. The current contract includes six helicopters and has an estimated annual value of $7,500,000.

Once the Navy experienced the responsiveness and efficiency of the commercial helicopters in the recovery missions, other Navy commands requested support. They have been supporting drone recoveries in Puerto Rico, Virginia Capes operating areas, Southern California operating areas, in Hawaii and even off the island of Guam in the South Pacific. To date they have recovered 286 drones without incident saving the Navy an estimated $71,996,800. In addition, the helicopters also provide general logistic support to the off shore vessels and fly predetermined patterns to provide an aerial radar target for weapon system testing/calibration or operator training.