The Multipurpose Aircraft Carrier (NAM) Atlântico (A 140), docked at the Port of Rio Grande (RS), has launched an Embedded Remotely Piloted Aerial System (SARP-E) for the first time.
The operation, which is said to represent an important milestone in the technological advancement of the Brazilian Navy (MB), aims to identify the situation of the places most affected by flooding in Rio Grande do Sul.
Regions such as Lagoa dos Patos, Ilha dos Marinheiros and the entire coastal area were all observed during the operation.
All captured images are transmitted simultaneously to the team on land at the Naval Component Force of the 5th Naval District, in Rio Grande, which is part of the Joint Command of Operation “Taquari 2”.
The launch was conducted by the 1st Remotely Piloted Aircraft Squadron (EsqdQE-1). According to one of the team members, the use of the technology is another way to support actions in the South. “It is the ability to put the eyes of the Naval Force in the air so that we can observe everything that is necessary and continue to provide humanitarian aid in the region,” they said.
The Insitu ScanEagle (RQ-1) used is capable of performing high precision surveillance, reconnaissance and data collection missions. It has a maximum range of 54 nautical miles (approximately 100km) from the base ship and up to 24 hours of autonomy.
The equipment, considered low cost, can hold up to eight litres of fuel, has a wingspan of 3.1 meters and has an electro-optical camera with a zoom that zooms in up to 171 times. This means that, flying at an altitude of two thousand feet, the system is capable of recording the image of a vehicle’s license plate.
Technological Advancement in the Force
With this launch, the Brazilian Navy is adapting to the needs of the operation with the resources and capabilities it already has and paves the way for future SARP-E operations from the Atlantic. The expectation is that, with the continuous development and adoption of new technologies, drones will play an increasingly important role in several areas, contributing to safety, efficiency and sustainable development.
This milestone reinforces the Navy’s role in the search for innovative solutions for the benefit of society and the country’s defense.
