Gunner Ryan Fabri, of 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, takes part in Exercise Chimera Walk at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland. Photos: Captain Tadek Markowski
Soldiers from 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, conduct a communications check as part of Exercise Chimera Walk.
Lieutenant Timothy Ollis conducts a patrol as part of Exercise Chimera Walk.
For a fuller picture of his immediate surroundings, Lieutenant Timothy Ollis, of 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, walks in a broad arc around a hilltop shrouded in early morning mist in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.
The 132 Battery, Charlie Troop Commander, is looking for a special piece of real estate as part of Exercise Chimera Walk, a two-week exercise within the vast central Queensland military range.
Preferably the ground will be elevated, but accessible, easy to defend, and offer good concealment.
His aim is to identify a site suitable for a dispersed flying position (DFP) for an uncrewed aerial system (UAS).
As Army’s most experienced unit in operating uncrewed aircraft, 20th Regiment was honing key skills with the new Integrator tactical UAS.
Some locations within the artillery movement area provided electronic line of sight in the direction of Integrator’s launcher (which can be hundreds of kilometres away), but offered minimal protection or difficult terrain.
The conflict in Ukraine, with its heavy emphasis on uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) engaged in a deadly contest of hide and seek, has put drone warfare front and centre for the unit’s officers and soldiers.
The technology and techniques required to meet the new battlefield reality is a steep learning curve.
“This is very different to anything we’ve ever done before. It’s an amalgamation of artillery, intelligence and aviation,” Lieutenant Ollis said.
“But there is an eagerness to learn the new systems and that’s present from the most junior soldier to the top ranks.
“It’s early days, but the groundwork is there.”
‘The threat picture has changed. UAS has changed things in an acute way. If you include satellites, they’ve essentially made the battlefield transparent.’
Adding complexity to the exercise, the regiment took delivery of new Bushmaster protected mobility vehicles (PMVs) late last year. Some are used as ground control stations for Integrators, the rest are used as troop carriers.
As a result, the unit transitioned to a mounted call sign and many of the training activities and serials involved familiarising soldiers with the PMVs.
Commander 132 Battery Major Chris Wishart said they were looking increasingly at dispersed troop movements.
“Mobility, agility and concealment is critical,” he said.
“The threat picture has changed. UAS has changed things in an acute way. If you include satellites, they’ve essentially made the battlefield transparent.”
Major Wishart said the exercise provided the first steps for the regiment.
“Every journey starts somewhere,” he said.
“This is our first training exercise with the troops using these vehicles.”
Integrator is launched from a trailer-mounted catapult and flown towards its mission area by a UAS operator. Control can then be transferred to another operator in a DFP close to the target.
“In an ideal world, the launch site for our UAVs will be hundreds of kilometres from the battle, before we take control of the aircraft near the target, and then launch and recovery get another one for us,” Major Wishart said.
With the regiment expected to receive all its Integrator UAS by the year’s end, learning how to hide, fly and move without being detected will become an integral part of training.
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Australian Army soldier Gunner Matthew Sharp will be designated an Aircraft Captain once fully qualified on the new Integrator tactical uncrewed aerial system. Photos: Captain Tadek Markowski
By his own reckoning, Gunner Matthew Sharp is the youngest soldier in Brisbane-based 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery.
Exactly a year after his enlistment date, the 19-year-old was camped next to a Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle (PMV) with the rest of Bravo Troop, concealed in trees at the edge of Williamson Airfield in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area.
The Gold Coast teenager was taking part in his first major field exercise since initial training at Kapooka. He has spent much of the past year training to become an uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) operator. Now Gunner Sharp was counting down the days until his first ‘live’ flight.
He’s part of 131 Battery, one of three taking part in Exercise Chimera Walk, a two-week exercise to familiarise the regiment’s soldiers with the Integrator tactical UAS.
Gunner Sharp said it was something he had been looking forward to.
“It’s definitely very rewarding when you get that bird off the rails and everything goes right, all the boxes are checked and you see it shoot off into the sky,” Gunner Sharp said.
Once qualified the young gunner will receive the title of Aircraft Captain.
‘It’s definitely very rewarding when you get that bird off the rails and everything goes right, all the boxes are checked and you see it shoot off into the sky.’
He said that meant crucial bragging rights on the home front with his mother, who was previously in the Air Force.
“I know she’s very proud. What we do is important and difficult,” Gunner Sharp said.
“We need to do our job well to help everyone else out. We’re the eyes of the Army.”
Gunner Sharp believes a fondness for gaming helped him become a UAS operator.
“The time and discipline you get from gaming, those long hours staring at the screen – concentrating – made the transition to doing this easier,” Gunner Sharp said.
And he’s confident piloting UAVs will lead to future opportunities.
“It’s one of the reasons I chose this job in the first place; there’s such a big future for drones,” he said.
With the regiment expecting to take delivery of additional Integrators before the end of the year, the ADF is looking for more operators.
Warrant Officer Class Two Marc Plant, from Army’s Aviation Command, said advanced classroom lessons and simulators had cut the time taken to train a UAS operator from one year to about six months.
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The ADF’s Tactical Uncrewed Aerial Systems (TUAS) program came into sharp focus during Exercise Chimera Walk at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area recently
Brazilian Navy deploys ‘ScanEagle’ and NPA ‘Babitonga’ in exercise
The training included the participation of the Patrol Vessel “Babitonga” and the remotely piloted aircraft RQ-1 “ScanEagle” , integrating monitoring, patrolling and support actions for joint operations with the Army and Air Force .
[Caption for headline photo: Gunner Jake McKean and Gunner Fergus Eastaugh assess the trailer-mounted UAV recovery system during Exercise Chimera Walk at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland. Photo: Captain Tadek Markowski]
The ADF’s Tactical Uncrewed Aerial Systems (TUAS) program came into sharp focus during Exercise Chimera Walk at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area recently.
The 20th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, launched, flew and recovered their newest uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV), the Integrator, in round-the-clock operations.
It was the first time the Brisbane-based regiment’s three flying batteries (131, 132 and 133), Combat Service Support (CSS) Battery and Operational Support Battery had field-tested the new aircraft.
Live flight trials at the Army Aviation Training Centre, Oakey, and hours of simulator flight training preceded the regiment’s first ‘shake-out’ exercise of the year, which focused on getting experience with the Integrator’s systems, flight characteristics and support equipment.
Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Marc Plant, of Army’s Aviation Command, said the two-week exercise was important “hands-on” training.
“It’s an opportunity to build familiarity with the equipment as well as applying a tactical scenario to support how the Integrator is used with the protected mobility vehicles [PMVs],” WO2 Plant said.
“20th Regiment has two UAS capability bricks, each comprising three aircraft, a trailer-mounted launcher and ‘skyhook’ recovery system, with Bushmaster PMVs used as ground control platforms.”
‘We’re a really valuable asset to the entire Defence Force. We are the first eyes on target.’
By the end of the year, the unit is expected to take delivery of additional Integrators, enabling two capability bricks per flying battery.
The Integrators are being delivered by Insitu Pacific Ltd, and are being assembled at a Brisbane factory using several components designed and built in Australia, including an advanced camera gimbal.
The UAS form part of Project DEF 129, designed to enhance situational awareness and increase force protection across maritime and land military operations.
Launched via catapult and caught using a vertical arrest cable, the Integrator and its support systems are readily deployable by road, air and sea – an essential requirement for supporting Army’s littoral-manoeuvre fighting force.
With its day/night cameras and potential for modular payload sensor suites, it provides Defence with enhanced intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance capabilities.
Intelligence gathered during Integrator missions can be shared with land and maritime strike capabilities, including Army’s new long-range artillery and rocket systems.
20th Regiment UAS operator, Gunner Jake McKean, said lessons from modern conflicts demonstrated why drone technology and capability was becoming one of the fastest growing areas within Defence.
“It’s an evolving capability, so it’s at the forefront of technology in the Australian Army,” Gunner McKean said.
“We’re a really valuable asset to the entire Defence Force. We are the first eyes on target.”
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Brazilian Navy deploys ‘ScanEagle’ and NPA ‘Babitonga’ in exercise
The training included the participation of the Patrol Vessel “Babitonga” and the remotely piloted aircraft RQ-1 “ScanEagle” , integrating monitoring, patrolling and support actions for joint operations with the Army and Air Force .
The Australian Army has been training new operators and expanding the role of its newest tactical uncrewed aerial system (TUAS) in exercises at the Shoalwater Bay military area near Rockhampton in central Queensland.
The Insitu Integrator was selected by the army in March 2021 under Project DEF 129 to replace the RQ-7B Shadow 200 system in army service. The capability has been working up an initial cadre of operators and maintainers near Brisbane. The army currently requires 24 systems.
Exercise Chimera Walk was preceded by live flight trials at the Army Aviation Training Centre in Oakey, near Toowoomba, and hours of simulator flight training.
Operated by the army’s 20th Regiment, based at Gallipoli Barracks at Enoggera in Brisbane, the exercises were the first time the system has been flown continuously ‘’round-the-clock’’ in operations that are more representative of how they would be used in the real world.
The focus of the exercise was to allow operators to gain experience with the Integrator’s systems, flight characteristics and support equipment.
The Shadow was bought under a rapid acquisition for operations in Afghanistan. But that system had a much larger logistical and transport footprint than the Integrator, and is also approaching obsolescence.
Army Warrant Officer Class Two (WO2) Marc Plant, from Aviation Command, said the two-week Exercise Chimera Walk provided important hands-on training.
“It’s an opportunity to build familiarity with the equipment as well as applying a tactical scenario to support how the Integrator is used with the protected mobility vehicles,” he said.
“20th Regiment has two UAS capability bricks, each comprising three aircraft, a trailer-mounted launcher and ‘skyhook’ recovery system, with Bushmaster PMVs used as ground control platforms.”
The Integrator is launched from a trailer-mounted catapult …
20th Regiment UAS operator Gunner Jake McKean said lessons from modern conflicts demonstrated why drone technology and capability was becoming one of the fastest-growing areas within Defence.
“It’s an evolving capability, so it’s at the forefront of technology in the Australian Army,” he said. “We’re a really valuable asset to the entire Defence Force. We are the first eyes on target.”
… and is recovered using a vertical cable suspended from a ”skyhook”.
Nineteen-year-old Gunner Matthew Sharp joined the army in early 2024 and is already training on the system.
“It’s definitely very rewarding when you get that bird off the rails and everything goes right, all the boxes are checked and you see it shoot off into the sky,” he said.
“We’re the eyes of the army. It’s one of the reasons I chose this job in the first place; there’s such a big future for drones.”
The Integrator is based on the US Marine Corps’ RQ-21 Blackjack TUAS, but is built in Australia and features several Australian-designed components, including an advanced camera gimbal.
The air vehicle weighs about 61 kg fully loaded, has a wingspan of 4.9 metres, and is 2.5 metres long. It can carry optical, communications and electronic warfare sensor payloads, and has an endurance of up to 16 hours at a range of nearly 100 km from base.
The air vehicle is launched via trailer-mounted catapult and is recovered using a vertical arrest cable. The system is deployable by road, air and sea, which was a prime requirement for supporting the army’s littoral manoeuvre-focused mission.
The RQ-21/Integrator is also used by the US, Canada, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium and Thailand.
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Navy deploys ‘ScanEagle’ and NPA ‘Babitonga’ in exercise
Original article from Defesa em Foco by Marcelo Barros in Portuguese here.
In southern Brazil , the Brazilian Navy demonstrated its versatility and capacity for integrated action during the Operational Exercise of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (EXOP IVR 2025) . Held between March 10 and 24 , the training included the participation of the Patrol Vessel “Babitonga” and the remotely piloted aircraft RQ-1 “ScanEagle” , integrating monitoring, patrolling and support actions for joint operations with the Army and Air Force .
Operating in the coastal strip between Chuí and the Mostardas Lighthouse , the Patrol Vessel “Babitonga” performed area interdiction, port defense and maritime surveillance functions , rigorously fulfilling the mission of protecting Brazil’s interests in jurisdictional waters. In the air, the RQ-1 “ScanEagle” flew in support of reconnaissance missions, contributing with real-time data and increasing the efficiency of naval and land actions .
The exercise was unprecedented in that it brought together, for the first time, remotely piloted aircraft from the three Armed Forces : the RQ-900 from the FAB, the Nauru 1000C from the Army and the ScanEagle from the Navy. This integration demonstrated the doctrinal evolution of the use of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (IVR) systems , covering the five domains of military power: space, cyber, air, land and sea .
National security beyond the military sphere
EXOP IVR 2025 also highlighted the importance of interagency cooperation to strengthen national defense and security . The NPa “Babitonga” operated in close coordination with civilian agencies such as the Federal Police and the Environmental Patrol of the Military Brigade of Rio Grande do Sul , expanding the protection network of the southern coast of the country.
This integration represents more than an operational partnership: it is a model of joint action between military and civilian personnel aimed at protecting critical infrastructure, combating cross-border crimes and environmental monitoring. The exercise reinforces the need for full interoperability between public security entities , especially in times of hybrid threats and multidimensional challenges.
Evolving Joint Readiness and Doctrine
EXOP IVR 2025 establishes a new level of preparation and readiness for the Brazilian Armed Forces . By testing the ability to operate in a coordinated manner in all domains, the exercise reaffirms the importance of a robust and constantly updated joint doctrine .
The Navy’s participation with the “ScanEagle” and the NPa “Babitonga” demonstrates its ability to operate flexibly, integrate multiple systems and act efficiently in deterrence and combat scenarios. More than just training, the exercise represents a direct investment in national security , reaffirming the strategic role of the Brazilian Navy in defending the coast, controlling maritime space and protecting sovereignty.
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On April 1, 2025, the Italian Ministry of Defense authorized a new contractual action to acquire an additional U.S.-made MQ-27 ScanEagle unmanned aerial system (UAS) for integration aboard two FREMM-class naval units. This acquisition falls under the operational requirement defined by the Italian Navy in 2022 to enhance Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities through the deployment of light and tactical-class shipborne UAS. It also represents a continuation of the initial ScanEagle integration program, which began with a U.S. Purchase Order (No. 2565 and amendments) that is still in execution.
The Boeing Insitu MQ-27 ScanEagle was developed from the Insitu SeaScan, a commercial unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) originally designed to assist fishermen in tracking tuna and collecting weather data. (Picture source: Boeing)
The mandate issued by the Italian Navy to the Directorate for Aeronautical Armaments and Airworthiness (DAAA) aims to complete and expand the initial acquisition by providing additional systems and associated materials. This includes progressing with the installation and integration of the MQ-27 ScanEagle UAS aboard FREMM-class vessels while ensuring operational continuity. The initial procurement took place on September 18, 2013, when Insitu, a subsidiary of Boeing, announced a contract with the Italian Navy for the delivery of two complete ScanEagle systems and related training services. Each system includes four UAVs, a ground control station, a remote video terminal, and launch and recovery equipment. The ScanEagle was one of several unmanned systems introduced into the Italian Navy’s inventory following initiatives such as Operazione Mare Nostrum, during which it operated alongside other UAVs like the Camcopter S-100.
The revised program reduces the number of ships to be equipped from three to two and modifies the sensor configuration. Specifically, it increases the number of aircraft with Electro-Optical (EO) sensors and removes the previously planned integration of the ViDAR sensor. The spare parts package will be aligned with expected flight hours, and additional training modules will be included, covering both basic operator instruction and instructor-level qualification. Italy became the sixth ScanEagle customer in Europe, and this drone is already used in ISR roles, benefiting from a cruise speed of 140 km/h and a 20-hour endurance. The UAV does not require a runway, as it uses a pneumatic catapult launcher compatible with naval vessels.
Previous electromagnetic compatibility and integration studies led by the Italian Navy have identified optimized installation configurations aboard the FREMM class, enabling safe and functional operation of the system. Based on these findings, the Italian Navy concluded that acquiring the same ScanEagle system remains the only viable option to ensure operational and logistical continuity without requiring new sets of launch and recovery equipment for each ship. This ensures additional surveillance capability for FREMM-class vessels.
For example, on November 13, 2024, the Italian Navy frigate Luigi Rizzo completed the acceptance trials for the ScanEagle in the Tyrrhenian Sea. Prior to testing, the vessel underwent modifications at the La Spezia Military Arsenal to integrate the UAV system. During sea trials, personnel established the Navy’s first Remotely Piloted Aircraft Section (SEZAPRM) aboard a ship, training alongside the crew and supported by Insitu engineers. The tests assessed command and control functions, launch and recovery operations, and onboard procedural integration in accordance with the Navy’s technical requirements. These activities involved coordination among the Rizzo crew, UAV unit personnel from the Naval Squadron Air Force Command, and representatives from the manufacturer.
The Italian Navy concluded that acquiring the same ScanEagle system remains the only viable option to ensure operational and logistical continuity without requiring new sets of launch and recovery equipment for each ship. (Picture source: Marina Militare)
The contractor selected by Italy for this new agreement is Insitu Inc., the U.S.-based developer and manufacturer of the ScanEagle system. Insitu also serves as the system’s designated entity for maintaining airworthiness, based on the restricted military type certificate No. 131-A issued by the Italian DAAA on August 3, 2023. The ScanEagle system is already integrated and operational aboard several FREMM vessels under the earlier acquisition. It comprises permanently installed components (ground control station and antennas) and transferable elements (launcher, recovery system, and aerial vehicles), allowing redeployment between ships undergoing maintenance and those ready for operational deployment.
The total estimated cost of the acquisition is €19,500,000. Of this amount, €19,305,426.59 is allocated to the Purchase Order, which corresponds to $20,077,643.65 using a conservative exchange rate of 1.04. An additional €194,573.41 is allocated for technical function incentives under Article 45 of Legislative Decree 36/2023. These incentives include €155,658.73 for personnel (as defined in paragraph 3) and €38,914.68 for activities described in paragraph 5. The residual 20% of the contract amount not used for the core acquisition may be reallocated to unplanned requirements, such as repairs and spare parts, within the same contractual framework. The contract will be executed through a negotiated procedure without prior publication, identified as a Purchase Order type under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) framework. It qualifies for exemption from several standard procurement publication requirements, as the materials are classified as military equipment.
The three-year financial schedule spans from 2025 to 2027. The payment forecast includes €13,422,170.64 in 2025, €4,922,170.64 in 2026, and €961,085.32 in 2027. The contract also provides for the issuance of a Risk Assessment Document (DUVRI), and its execution will be managed by the DAAA, with a 42-month duration starting from May 2025, pending final clearance from oversight bodies. The Italian Navy will assume custody of the delivered systems. The payment mechanism will be based on documentary credit, and a guarantee will be required. Responsibilities include the nomination of a Project Manager (head of the 4th Division) and a contract execution director, as required for contracts exceeding €500,000. Notifications related to the contract will be sent to the DAAA’s 9th Division and to the Italian Navy’s 6th Department.
The ScanEagle, a small, fixed-wing UAV used for surveillance and reconnaissance, offers an endurance of more than 20 hours, a maximum speed of 148 km/h, and a cruise speed of 111 km/h. (Picture source: Insitu)
The Boeing Insitu MQ-27 ScanEagle was developed from the Insitu SeaScan, a commercial unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) originally designed to assist fishermen in tracking tuna and collecting weather data. Following a strategic alliance between Boeing and Insitu, the platform was adapted for military surveillance and reconnaissance. The ScanEagle conducted its first flight on June 20, 2002, and entered service with the U.S. Navy in 2005. It was deployed operationally starting in August 2004 during the Iraq War. Subsequent developments led to upgraded variants, including Block D with improved video systems and cameras, Block E with infrared capability (NightEagle), and ScanEagle 2, which introduced a heavy-fuel engine, new avionics, and a fully digital architecture. Over time, it was also used in various civilian and environmental missions and was among the first UAVs approved by the FAA for commercial use in U.S. airspace. A further evolution includes the ScanEagle 3, an ITAR-free variant.
The ScanEagle is a small, fixed-wing UAV with a wingspan of 3.11 meters and a length of up to 1.71 meters. It is launched using a pneumatic “SuperWedge” catapult and recovered via the “Skyhook” system, which uses a rope suspended from a pole and GPS coordination. The UAV is designed to operate without runways. Its flight endurance exceeds 20 hours, and a Block D variant once flew for 22 hours and 8 minutes. The ScanEagle uses stabilized electro-optical or infrared cameras mounted on inertial turrets. It has also been fitted with payloads such as the NanoSAR-A radar (3.5 lb) for synthetic aperture radar imaging. Additional systems, like the ViDAR optical detection system, have been tested for broad-area maritime surveillance. The UAV’s onboard electronics, cameras, and sensors have been periodically upgraded for specific mission sets, and the airframe supports the integration of varied sensor packages.
The ScanEagle has a maximum takeoff weight of 26.5 kg and is powered by a 1.5 hp two-stroke piston engine. It offers an endurance of more than 20 hours, a maximum speed of 148 km/h, and a cruise speed of 111 km/h. Its operational ceiling is 5,950 meters. The UAV carries visual, infrared, and thermal imaging systems. A complete ScanEagle system includes four air vehicles, a ground control station, a remote video terminal, and both launch and recovery systems. The cost of a full system was estimated at $3.2 million in 2006 and $3.5 million by 2013. Upgraded versions introduced Ethernet-based communications architecture, improved EMI shielding, and FLARES (Flying Launch and Recovery System) — a quadrotor UAV that can deploy and retrieve the ScanEagle without traditional launch or recovery equipment. The platform has been used in combat operations, oceanographic research, counter-piracy missions, and drug interdiction.
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Unprecedented participation of the Navy brings a naval perspective to joint training
March 24, 2025 By First Lieutenant (RM2-T) Daniela Meireles and First Lieutenant (RM2-T) Manuela Barros
For the first time, the Brazilian Navy (MB) participated in a joint training session with the Armed Forces specifically to improve the use of remotely piloted aircraft, popularly known as drones, in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance actions. The exercise, concluded this Monday (24), at the Santa Maria Air Base (RS), had the participation of more than 350 military personnel. They were tested in integrated operations of aerospace reconnaissance, naval patrol, cyber defense and advanced air control, exploring the technological limits of onboard sensors.
According to the Commander of the 1st Remotely Piloted Aircraft Squadron (EsqdQE-1), Frigate Captain Raphael Estrella Nogueira, the mission allowed the exchange of experiences between the newest air unit of the MB and the Hórus Squadron of the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), the first in the country to have aircraft of this type, for at least 12 years. “We are used to carrying out naval missions, whether embarked on the Squadron’s ships or over the sea. This exercise was an opportunity to expand our doctrine in land missions, especially with field activities with the Army”, he explains.
Military personnel from the 1st Remotely Piloted Aircraft Squadron operate “ScanEagle” aircraft on intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance missions ‒ Image: Brazilian Navy
The Navy participated with four “RQ-1 ScanEagle” aircraft, capable of remaining in flight for up to 15 hours, reaching an altitude of 19,500 feet, equivalent to 5,943 meters, and reaching a cruising speed (maximum limit that can be achieved with energy savings) of approximately 110 km/h. In addition to the unmanned aircraft from the three Forces, the training included the Navy’s Patrol Vessel “Babitonga”, fighter and reconnaissance aircraft from the FAB and armored vehicles from the Brazilian Army (EB).
“Some EB brigades acted as figurative enemies in the field, so that we could carry out all this intelligence, reconnaissance and monitoring of targets, convoys, and captives,” summarizes the Commander of EsqdQE-1. He adds that there is a possibility that the exercise will be officially adopted by the three Forces. “The intention is for it to become an annual mission, in order to increase doctrine and even standardize the use of remotely piloted aircraft in the Defense field,” he reinforces.
Navy Remotely Piloted Aircraft
Activated in July 2022, in São Pedro da Aldeia (RJ), the Navy’s 1st Remotely Piloted Aircraft Squadron was created with the purpose of expanding the operational capacity of the Naval Force’s ships in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The Squadron has six “ScanEagle” aircraft with their respective launchers and collectors, which allow for land and ship operations, day and night, for naval traffic control, naval inspection, prevention of illicit activities, piracy, terrorism, disaster monitoring and rescue operations.
Source: Agência Marinha de Notícias Access: https://www.agencia.marinha.mil.br/
Original article in Portuguese:
Exercício das Forças Armadas aperfeiçoa uso de aeronaves remotamente pilotadas
Participação inédita da Marinha leva perspectiva naval para treinamento conjunto
24 Março, 2025 Por Primeiro-Tenente (RM2-T) Daniela Meireles e Primeiro-Tenente (RM2-T) Manuela Barros
Pela primeira vez, a Marinha do Brasil (MB) participou de um treinamento conjunto das Forças Armadas específico para aperfeiçoar o emprego de aeronaves remotamente pilotadas, conhecidas popularmente como drones, em ações de inteligência, vigilância e reconhecimento. O exercício, concluído nesta segunda-feira (24), na Base Aérea de Santa Maria (RS), contou com a participação de mais de 350 militares. Eles foram testados em operações integradas de reconhecimento aeroespacial, patrulha naval, defesa cibernética e controle aéreo avançado, explorando os limites tecnológicos dos sensores embarcados.
Segundo o Comandante do 1º Esquadrão de Aeronaves Remotamente Pilotadas (EsqdQE-1), Capitão de Fragata Raphael Estrella Nogueira, a missão permitiu a troca de experiências entre a mais recente unidade aérea da MB e o Esquadrão Hórus, da Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB), primeiro do País a contar com aeronaves desse tipo, há pelo menos 12 anos. “Estamos acostumados a fazer missões de caráter naval, sejam embarcadas nos navios da Esquadra ou sobre o mar. Esse exercício foi uma oportunidade de ampliarmos nossa doutrina em missões de caráter terrestre, especialmente com atividades em campo com o Exército”, explica.
A Força Naval participou com quatro aeronaves “RQ-1 ScanEagle”, capazes de permanecer em voo por até 15 horas, alcançar uma altitude de 19.500 pés, o equivalente a 5.943 metros, e atingir velocidade de cruzeiro (limite máximo que pode ser atingido com economia de energia) de cerca de 110 km/h. Além das aeronaves não tripuladas das três Forças, integraram o treinamento, o Navio-Patrulha “Babitonga”, da Marinha, aviões de caça e de reconhecimento da FAB e veículos blindados do Exército Brasileiro (EB).
“Algumas brigadas do EB se fizeram de figurativo inimigo no campo, para realizarmos toda essa parte de inteligência, reconhecimento e acompanhamento de alvos, de comboios, de cativeiros”, resume o Comandante do EsqdQE-1. Ele adianta que há a possibilidade do exercício ser adotado oficialmente pelas três Forças. “A intenção é que se torne uma missão anual, a fim de ter um incremento de doutrina e até uma padronização do emprego de aeronaves remotamente pilotadas no âmbito da Defesa”, reforça.
Aeronaves remotamente pilotadas da Marinha
Ativado em julho 2022, em São Pedro da Aldeia (RJ), o 1º Esquadrão de Aeronaves Remotamente Pilotadas da Marinha nasceu com o propósito de ampliar a capacidade operacional dos navios da Força Naval em missões de inteligência, vigilância e reconhecimento. O Esquadrão possui seis aeronaves “ScanEagle” com seus respectivos lançadores e recolhedores, que permitem operações terrestres e embarcadas, diurnas e noturnas, de controle naval do tráfego, inspeção naval, prevenção de ilícitos, pirataria, terrorismo, monitoramento de desastres e operação de resgate.
. . .
Fonte: Agência Marinha de Notícias Acesse: https://www.agencia.marinha.mil.br/
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This capability enables Integrator to fly up to 2,000 Nautical Miles (NM) point-to-point with 27.5 hours of endurance, the longest range/endurance of any small UAS in its class.
Insitu Awarded $102,353,293 Modification to Previously-Awarded firm-fixed-price, IDIQ Contract
FEB 18, 2025 – Insitu Inc., Bingen, Washington, is awarded a $102,353,293 modification (P00007) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N0001922D0038).
This modification increases the contract ceiling to procure 21 RQ-21A Blackjack air vehicles and 47 ScanEagle air vehicles, as well as associated payloads, turrets, support equipment, spares, tools, and training for both Unmanned Aircraft Systems in support of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance for the Navy, Foreign Military Sales customers, and other international business partnership capacity efforts.
Work will be performed in Bingen, Washington (88%); and various locations outside the continental U.S. (12%), and is expected to be completed in June 2026. No funds will be obligated at the time of award; funds will be obligated on individual orders as they are issued. This modification was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
Insitu Launches UAS Center of Excellence in the UAE, Strengthening Bilateral Ties
The state-of-the-art facility will localize UAS Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), training, and other essential services for the UAE Armed Forces.
Operation Safe Mediterranean: Frigate Rizzo completes ScanEagle on-the-job training
An important milestone for the Naval Fleet with the completion of the last phase of On the Job Training for the specialist personnel of the Scaneagle remotely piloted aircraft .
– Insitu Inc., Bingen, Washington, was awarded a $25,667,674 firm-fixed-price order (N0001925F0180) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001921G0007).
This order provides unmanned aircraft systems intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support services, to include pre and post deployment support, site survey, training, and coordination and data support in support of the Department of Defense and other government agencies.
Work will be performed in Bingen, Washington (20%); and various undisclosed locations outside of the continental U.S. (80%), and is expected to be completed March 2028. Fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $4,305,873 will be obligated at the time of award, all of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This order was competed as a limited source.
Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity. (Awarded Jan. 27, 2025)
Source: DoD
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L to R: Brigadier General Yacoub Yousef Al Hammadi; Director of the Directorate of Industrial Security and Licensing; Juma Al Dhaheri, Executive Director for Boeing Aerospace Middle East Limited; Ambassador Martina Strong, U.S Ambassador to the U.A.E.; Kuljit Ghata-Aura, President of Boeing Middle East, Türkiye, Africa and Central Asia; Diane Rose, CEO of Insitu; Brigadier General Mohmmed Ali Mohammed Al Sumaiti, UAE Land Force; Majed Al Shamsi, Director, Economic Programs, Tawazun Council.
Insitu Launches UAS Center of Excellence in the UAE, Strengthening Bilateral Ties
Abu Dhabi, UAE, December 12, 2024 – Insitu, a Boeing Company, proudly announces the opening of its new Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) Center of Excellence (COE) at Tawazun Industrial Park in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The state-of-the-art facility will localize UAS Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO), training, and other essential services for the UAE Armed Forces. This represents a major milestone for the company’s growth and commitment to building a sustainable defense industry, driving local content, and creating in-country value in the UAE.
“We’re thrilled to open the UAS Center of Excellence in Abu Dhabi,” said Insitu President and CEO Diane Rose. “This new facility will strengthen our partnership with the Tawazun Council, enhance the support we provide, and create frequent opportunities for collaborating with other Emirati companies across the defense ecosystem.”
Majed Al Shamsi, Director of Economic Programs at Tawazun Council, said: “This center represents a bold step forward, offering a space where cutting-edge unmanned systems technology will take shape. It aligns seamlessly with our national vision, championed by the leadership of the UAE, to position our nation as a global leader in advanced industries. Through this partnership, supported by the Tawazun Council and the Ministry of Defense, we are paving the way for a future defined by technological breakthroughs and enriched by shared expertise.”
By localizing MRO and training services, Insitu’s UAS COE will create value by reducing the cost, complexity, and turnaround time for activities that were previously performed overseas. It will also generate employment opportunities for a skilled workforce and facilitate the participation of local suppliers in the value chain.
With offices in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and now the United Arab Emirates, Insitu manufactures a family of runway-independent, long-endurance UAS including the ScanEagle, Integrator, and Integrator Extended Range, which have logged nearly 1.5 million flight hours supporting the armed forces of more than 35 nations. Learn more at Insitu.com.
Operation Safe Mediterranean: Frigate Rizzo completes ScanEagle on-the-job training
An important milestone for the Naval Fleet with the completion of the last phase of On the Job Training for the specialist personnel of the Scaneagle remotely piloted aircraft .
