high value airborne asset protection

(DOD) A defensive counterair mission that defends airborne national assets which are so important that the loss of even one could seriously impact US warfighting capabilities or provide the enemy with significant propaganda value. Examples of high value airborne assets are Airborne Warning and Control System, Rivet Joint, Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System, and Compass Call. Also called HVAA protection. See also defensive counterair.