Brazilian Air Force of the Brazilian Armed Forces |
---|
History and future |
Air and space command |
Aircraft |
The Brazilian Air Force has a large number of active and planned projects, under the modernization plans of the Brazilian Armed Forces, defined in the National Defense White Paper (Portuguese: Livro Branco da Defesa Nacional - LBDN). [1] From 2010, Brazil started a radical change in its military policy, aiming to consolidate itself as the major power of Latin America. [2]
The prospective scenario analysis developed in 2005 by the U.S. Pentagon for the year 2035, foresees a permanent growth of Brazil's influence in international relations. [3] The intensification of projection in the concert of nations and its greater insertion in the global decisions, conduct the Armed Forces to a new structure compatible with the country's new political-strategic status. [3] In 2020, was approved by the MoD the increase of the defense budget from 1.4% to 2% of the GDP. [4]
Since mid-2000s, the Air Force and the Brazilian companies of the aerospace defense conglomerate like Embraer, are in development of the E/F versions of the JAS 39 Gripen multirole fighter with Saab and Sweden. This program is part of a deal between the Brazilian Ministry of Defense and Sweden in 2015, for the acquisition of 36 jets from Saab. [5] [6] Brazil will receive this jets along 2020s, [7] other 72 units are planned in two more batches. [8] [9]
The force is also in undergoing modernization of the AMX attack jets, include a new Mectron SCP-01 Scipio radar, [10] Embraer BR2 data link, FLIR Systems, new navigation equipments, [11] the Elbit INS/GPS/databus, a glass cockpit, [12] and a new OBOGS system and HMD DASH IV. Along the 2000s Brazil continue to receive several units of the Super Tucano light attack aircraft of the A & B variants. [13]
The Air Force have three major programs to modernize its aerial refueling and transport fleet. Since mid-2010s, the force is incorporating new units of the Embraer KC-390, finish by 2030. The country is also under negotiation for units of the A330 MRTT, [14] in order to solve operational gaps, and to a more consistent form of regional and global power projection along with the new JAS-39 Gripens in incorporation. [15] Since 2010s, the Air Force is receiving several units of the CASA C-295, for regional transport and SAR roles. [16] [17]
Since 2008, the Air Force receive annually several units from different types of helicopters, from Helibras factory in Itajubá, Minas Gerais. The units are the Eurocopter EC 725 Caracal, [18] [19] EC135 Cougar, [20] and the AS332 Super Puma. [21] Since the 2010s, was incorporated several units of the Sikorsky UH-60. [21]
The Brazilian Army is developing and incorporate along with Avibras, the cruise missile AV-TM 300. This missile can be used along with the ASTROS system, with an operational range from 30 km to 1,000 km carrying a warhead from to 500 kg. [22] [23] A variant for the Air Force called MICLA-BR is under tests from 2019. [24] The country also have several deals for missiles and bombs for the new JAS-39 Gripen, such as the Meteor BVR missile, [25] the IRIS-T missile, [26] A-Darter, and the Spice 250 and Spice 1000 guided-bombs. [27]
The Geostationary Defense and Strategic Communications Satellites or SGDC, are geostationary communication satellites developed by the Brazilian Air Force and the Brazilian Space Agency, created with the objective of operating strategic military, government and civil communications, also offering broadband internet throughout the national territory. [28] The first satellite called SGDC-1, was launched in 2017 [29] and the SGDC-2 has planned to launch in 2022. [30] The Space Operations Center (COPE) was inaugurated in 2020, subordinated to the Aerospace Operations Command, with the objective of operating the satellites. [28]
The Link-BR2 is a datalink developed by the Air Force and the Brazilian defence company AEL Sistemas, this technology allow the exchange of data such radar information, videos and images with other units of the three branches anytime and anywere, using an advanced encrypted protocol with a high degree of security. [31] [32]
In April 2021, was launched a development program with the Air Force and Embraer, for a national loyal wingman (UAV) for operation in the end 2020s. [33]
In November 2020, was launched a development program called STOUT with the Air Force and Embraer, for a new hybrid turboprop light transport, for operation in the end 2020s, in order to replace C-95 Bandeirante and C-97 Brasília. [34]
The Ministry of Defence will start in the 2020s, [35] the acquisition of a medium-range air defense system. In December 2020, the MoD approved the prerequisites of the future system, will be operated by the three branches of the Brazilian Armed Forces, in order to reduce operational costs, in addition to facilitating the integration between all systems already in operation in the forces. The battery will have to comply with the following operational requirements: must be able to effectively engage aerospace threats simultaneously in a minimum horizontal engagement range not exceeding 2,000 meters; maximum horizontal engagement range not less than 40,000 meters; minimum vertical engagement range not exceeding 50 meters; and maximum vertical engagement range not less than 15,000 meters. The system will be capable to engage fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, cruise missiles and guided bombs. [35]
The Brazilian Armed Forces are the unified military forces of the Federative Republic of Brazil. Consisting of three service branches, it comprises the Brazilian Army, the Brazilian Navy and the Brazilian Air Force.
The Saab JAS 39 Gripen is a light single-engine supersonic multirole fighter aircraft manufactured by the Swedish aerospace and defence company Saab AB. The Gripen has a delta wing and canard configuration with relaxed stability design and fly-by-wire flight controls. Later aircraft are fully NATO interoperable. As of 2020, more than 271 Gripens of all models, A–F, have been delivered.
The AMX International AMX is a ground-attack aircraft jointly developed by Brazil and Italy. The AMX is designated A-11 Ghibli by the Italian Air Force and A-1 by the Brazilian Air Force. The Italian name, "Ghibli", is taken from the hot dry wind of the Libyan desert.
The Brazilian Air Force is the air branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces and one of the three national uniformed services. The FAB was formed when the Army and Navy air branches were merged into a single military force initially called "National Air Forces" in 1941. Both air branches transferred their equipments, installations and personnel to the new force.
The Embraer EMB 314 Super Tucano, also named ALX or A-29, is a Brazilian turboprop light attack aircraft designed and built by Embraer as a development of the Embraer EMB 312 Tucano. The A-29 Super Tucano carries a wide variety of weapons, including precision-guided munitions, and was designed to be a low-cost system operated in low-threat environments.
Brazilian Air Force One is the Brazilian Air Force call sign of the aircraft carrying the President of Brazil. On international flights the aircraft uses the Brazilian Air Force ICAO code BRS1 and callsign Brazilian Air Force 01. The Special Transport Group (GTE) is the unit of the Brazilian Air Force responsible for transporting the President, Vice-President and other senior government officials.
The V3E A-Darter is a modern short-range infrared homing air-to-air missile, featuring countermeasures resistance with a 180-degree look angle and 120-degrees per second track rate, developed by South Africa's Denel Dynamics and Brazil's Mectron, Avibras and Opto Eletrônica. It will equip the South African Air Force's Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D and BAE Hawk 120, and the Brazilian Air Force's A-1M AMX, Northrop F-5BR and Gripen E/F. It was expected to be in production before the end of 2015. As of November 2022, no combat capable missiles had been produced.
The Embraer C-390 Millennium is a medium-size, twin-engine, jet-powered military transport aircraft designed and produced by the Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer. It is the heaviest aircraft the company has constructed to date.
The Brazilian Naval Aviation is the air component of the Brazilian Navy, currently called Força Aeronaval. Most of its air structure is subordinated to the Naval Air Force Command, the military organization responsible for providing operational air support from Navy vessels, while four squadrons are subordinated to the Naval Districts, responsible for inland and coastal waters. ComForAerNav is headquartered at the Naval Air Base of São Pedro da Aldeia, where all aircraft fleet level maintenance is carried out and where the Aeronaval Instruction and Training Center is located, which forms its staff. Its pilots, all officers with one to three years of prior naval experience, fly its helicopters, airplanes and Remotely Piloted Aircraft as extensions of the ships' weaponry and sensors.
The AV-TM 300 Tactical Missile or MTC-300 is a Brazilian cruise missile developed by Avibras for the Astros II system. Nicknamed Matador ("killer"), it is projected to be a less expensive alternative to the American BGM-109 Tomahawk. The missile is equipped with a central computer that combines a Ring laser gyroscope, connected to an active GPS navigation device that uninterruptedly supplies positioning information for course correction. Apparently there also will be a naval version called X-300. The missile can use a single warhead of 200 to 500 kg high explosive or cluster munition warhead with 64 submunitions for anti-personnel or anti-tank targets.
AEL Sistemas S.A. is a Brazilian-based defence electronics company. The company is a subsidiary of Elbit Systems with 25 percent acquired by the Embraer's defense division. AEL operates in the areas of fixed and rotary wings, unmanned vehicles, homeland security, armored vehicles, communication systems, contracted of logistics support, space systems and simulators.
Anápolis Air Force Base – ALA2 is a base of the Brazilian Air Force, located in Anápolis, Brazil.
The Brazilian Navy has a large number of active and planned projects, under the modernization plans of the Brazilian Armed Forces, defined in the National Defense White Paper. From 2010, Brazil started a radical change in its military policy, aiming to consolidate itself as the major power of Latin America, then the country's military strategists saw the great importance in modernize the Navy, both in terms of global projection and deterrence against possible threats to national interests by foreign powers from the year 2040, the total estimated budget for the plan was estimated in US$ 119 billion in 2010.
The Brazilian Army has a large number of active and planned projects, under the modernization plans of the Brazilian Armed Forces, defined in the National Defense White Paper. From 2010, Brazil started a radical change in its military policy, aiming to consolidate itself as the major power of Latin America.
The Aerospace Operations Command is a joint command of the Brazilian Armed Forces in charge of planning, coordinating and conducting the employment of aerospace assets. Although part of the Brazilian Air Force's structure, it includes personnel from the Brazilian Army and Navy. COMAE is the central body in the Brazilian Aerospace Defense System and as such, it is directly responsible for the aerospace defense of Brazilian territory and may control Air Force, Army and Navy units.
The Link-BR2 is a Brazilian military datalink developed by the Brazilian Air Force and the defence company AEL Sistemas. The system entered in operation in December 2020, and was conceived in the early-2010s, by the necessity of Armed Forces of a communication system to the exchange of information between all military of the country.
Saab Sensores e Serviços Brasil is a Brazilian defence electronic manufacturer which has operated since 2020 as a subsidiary company of the Saab AB. Previously established in 2004 as Atmos Sistemas S.A to provide electronic equipment and weather radars, it was bought entirely by the Swedish multinational to manufacture and sell electronic products and avionics for the aerospace industry, and to supply the parts and maintenance needs of the Saab JAS 39 Gripen aircraft of the Brazilian Air Force.
The 1st Interceptor and Strike Fighter Squadron, known as "Falcon Squadron", is the Brazilian Naval Aviation unit created to fly McDonnell Douglas A-4 Skyhawk fighters on aircraft carriers of the Brazilian Navy (MB). The decommissioning of NAe São Paulo in 2017, after more than a decade inoperative, limits the squadron to taking off from land-based runways, especially its headquarters at the São Pedro da Aldeia Naval Air Base (BAeNSPA), Rio de Janeiro, where it is subordinate to the Naval Air Force Command. Its planes had the designations AF-1 (single-seater) and AF-1A (two-seater), later changed after modernization in 2015–2022 to AF-1B and AF-1C. The VF-1 operates the only fighters in Brazil outside the Brazilian Air Force (FAB). It was the last squadron in the world to fly the Skyhawk from aircraft carriers and, together with the Argentine Air Force, is the last military operator of that plane.
Gripen NG deliveries to the Brazilian Air Force will be undertaken from 2019 to 2024. […] The commitments by Sweden and Brazil secure Gripen's industrial and operational future into the 2050 timeframe.