TSAMTO, May 14. The Brazilian Air Force Command and Embraer signed a memorandum of understanding providing for joint requirements development, conceptual design and development of a multi-purpose UAV.
According to Jane's Defense Weekly, the 44-month project is intended to meet the needs of the Brazilian Air Force and promote the development of the Brazilian Defense Technology and Industrial Base (DTIB).
The Memorandum of Understanding aims to develop a Class-4 or Class-5 UAV by the end of 2024 in order to reduce costs and risks while protecting the Brazilian Air Force's national airspace.
The development project will mainly involve the Aerospace Operations Command, the Combat Training Command, and the Air Force Science and Technology Department, with the overall coordination of the Brazilian Air Force General Staff. The project schedule can be extended if necessary. The list of the payload for the UAV has not yet been determined.
The characteristics of the developed platform are also not yet disclosed. It is not known whether it will be equipped with weapons of destruction, including guided bombs, as well as missiles. However, the need to ensure interaction between unmanned and manned aircraft is mentioned.
Earlier, the Brazilian Air Force has already initiated the development of the concept of combat use and requirements for UAVs that provide the tasks of direct air support, information gathering, surveillance and reconnaissance.
Currently, the Brazilian Air Force is armed with medium-altitude long-duration UAVs (MALE), designed for reconnaissance and communication relay. These include the Hermes-450 (RQ-450) and Hermes-900 (RQ-900) of Elbit Systems, as well as the Heron-1 (RQ-1150) of IAI.
