With just a small fleet of military unmanned air vehicles, Brazil is seeking to increase their use and invest in its first locally produced combat versions, writes Claudio Lucchesi
The Brazilian Air Force’s four Israeli-built Elbit Hermes RQ-450 are operated by the 1st Squadron of the 12th Aviation Group (1º/12º GAV) in Santa Cruz Air Base, in the ISTAR role
SO Johnson/Força Aérea Brasileira
On May 3, 2022, an Atlas Air Boeing 747-400F freighter aircraft landed at Tom Jobim International Airport in Rio de Janeiro, carrying six of the ScanEagle complete naval unmanned air vehicle systems. Disembarked from the Atlas Air freighter, the entire group was taken in nine trailers to the final destination – the São Pedro da Aldeia Naval Air Base (BAeNSPA), the main operating base of the Naval Aviation of the Brazilian Navy (AN-MB – Aviação Naval da Marinha do Brasil).
