Page 21 - ADT APRIL - MAY 2021 Online Magazine

makes it possible to reduce costs and risks,
without losing effectiveness in fulfilling the mis-
sions assigned to the Brazilian Air Force.”

“This study is of fundamental importance for
the maintenance and expansion of Embraer’s
competencies in the development of aerial
defence systems with high technological con-
tent and great integration complexity,” says [ UNMANNED SYSTEMS ]
Jackson Schneider, chief executive of Embraer
Defence & Security. “It is also an opportunity for
the continuous development of new technolo-
gies and products for the FAB and the Ministry
of Defence, aimed at expanding the operational
capacity and guaranteeing national sovereignty.
Entering New certainly be its integration and joint operation
“A major challenge for this aerial system will
with other systems and aircraft, manned or
unmanned,” Schneider adds.
Territory Brazil has, in the past, purchased drones from
Israel Aerospace Industries and Elbit Systems,
companies that have extensive activities in the
country. By developing and inducting an indig-
enous military drone, Brazil is likely to join a
growing number of countries such as the U.S.,
EMBRAER WILL WORK WITH THE BRAZILIAN AIR Australia, China, India, Russia, and the UK, that
FORCE TO DESIGN AND DEVELOP AN ADVANCED have the capability to use unmanned aircraft
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE for air-to-surface and air-to-air combat. Adding
military drones to its fleet will also provide FAB
the opportunity to test the manned-unmanned
Arun Sivasankaran teaming (MUM-T) concept, by which a manned
aircraft takes control of a UAV during a joint
Buoyed by the enthusiastic response from militaries to the KC-390 mission.
Millennium military transport aircraft, Embraer is treading into
unknown territory – the design and development of an advanced Loyal Wingman
unmanned aerial vehicle that can be used in combat. Other companies are also working on novel
UAV concepts. Boeing Australia is currently
Embraer and the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) have signed a memoran- working on the development of a stealth, mul-
dum of understanding to jointly study the design and development tirole, unmanned aerial vehicle development
of an “advanced unmanned aircraft system”. During the announce- for the Royal Australian Air Force. The Loyal
ment on April 23, Embraer did not reveal details of the proposed Wingman drone is designed as a force multi-
UAV, but the rendering made public by the company shows a plier aircraft that is capable of flying alongside
stealthy UAV with short swept wings, indicative of a combat role. manned aircraft for support and performing
Embraer Defence & Security, the company’s defense branch, will autonomous missions independently using arti-
work with the Brazilian defense ministry to assess the needs of ficial intelligence.
the military. The FAB Is expected to use the proposed UAV for
surveillance, combat and a variety of other missions, either alone GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian has garnered
or in joint operations with manned aircraft, as air forces around the significant interest from customers, with the
world have been doing. Royal Air Force being the launch international
customer. The drone has also been selected
Immense Possibilities by the Australian Defence Force under Project
“This is a unique opportunity for the Brazilian Air Force to deepen its Air 7003, while the Belgian Ministry of Defense
studies in disruptive technologies that may cause an imbalance in signed a contract for acquiring the UAV. After
current and future scenarios,” said Brazilian Air Force Commander, taking two SeaGuardian drones on lease from
Lieutenant-Brigadier Carlos de Almeida Baptista Junior. “In modern the company last year, India is said to be close
war, it is essential to use unmanned aerial platforms, operating to signing a deal for 30 of the UAVs, ten each
alone or in conjunction with conventional aircraft. Such technology for the Navy, the Army, and the Air Force.

ASIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGY April/May 2021 | 21