XIV Meeting of the Multidisciplinary Groups for Monitoring the Implementation of Air Force Programs (GMAI)

Air Force Agency, by Lieutenant Eniele Santos and Captain Alcoforado

Between February 14 and 16, the XIV Meeting of the Multidisciplinary Groups for Monitoring the Implementation (GMAI) of Brazilian Air Force (FAB) Programs took place at the Aeronautics Staff (EMAER), which aims to integrate the various areas of the Air Force Command that deal with the implementation of the most complex and priority systems of the Air Force.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the various Grand Commands and Advisory Bodies of the Air Force Commander, Air Lieutenant Brigadier Marcelo Kanitz Damasceno, who, led by the Vice Chief and coordinated by the Seventh Sub-Chief of the EMAER, carried out the control and governance of the Air Force’s strategic projects, updating the Air Force Commander and High Command.

XIV GMAI Meeting

In this edition the KC-30 (KC-X3), H-125 (TH-X), F-39 (F-X2) and KC-390 (KC-X) projects were discussed.

The KC-30 has already demonstrated part of its capabilities and operational readiness, having participated in several missions, in particular in the humanitarian support for the earthquake victims in Turkey. The large cargo capacity and the long operational range were decisive for the Brazilian contribution to the disaster response. GMAI KC-30 addressed the implementation of phase 1 of the Project, which consisted in the acquisition of the two planned aircraft and the beginning of their operation at Galeão Air Base, as well as the preparation of the next phases for conversion of the aircraft into Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT).

The TH-X Project, which foresees the total acquisition of 27 aircraft, 15 for the Brazilian Navy and 12 for the Air Force, had its contract signed in the last quarter of 2022. The Coordinating Committee of the Combat Aircraft Program (COPAC), which is the Executive Manager of the Project, presented the delivery schedule, which is scheduled to begin in 2024. The H-125, the name of the new aircraft in FAB, will replace the current training fleet of the Eleventh Aviation Group (1/11th GAv – Gavião Squadron), based in Natal.

On February 15, the focus turned to the F-X2. This program had an important milestone on December 19, 2022, when the F-39E Gripen was incorporated into the First Air Defense Group (1st GDA – Jaguar Squadron). During the GMAI, several topics related to its entry into operation were discussed, such as the necessary infrastructure to operate the new aircraft safely and efficiently, and its next phase of development.

The closing of the three days of activities had the KC-390 tactical freighter as a central point, with emphasis on the proximity of its final military certification, a turning point in the project, and which could represent a differential in the expectations for exporting the aircraft to other countries.

Besides the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Air Lieutenant Brigadier João Tadeu Fiorentini, who welcomed the GMAI participants, the event was also attended by the Director of DIRMAB, Air Major Rodrigo Fernandes Santos; the President of COPAC, Air Brigadier Antonio Luiz Godoy Soares Mioni Rodrigues; the Chief of the Subdepartment of Evaluation and Doctrine of the Preparatory Command, Air Brigadier Alessandro Cramer; as well as the Chiefs of EMAER’s Subdepartments.

According to the Chief of the EMAER’s Seventh Subchief, Air Brigadier Leonardo Chaves Rodrigues, this first meeting of the year was fundamental to align knowledge, receive new stakeholders and draw an overview of how the Force’s Strategic Projects will behave in 2023. “The GMAI presents itself as an indispensable tool in the various levels of action of the implementation of a given project, reflecting directly on the decision support”, he concluded.

As the person responsible for conducting the GMAI, within EMAER’s Program Coordination area, the Vice Chief of EMAER, Air Major Valter Borges Malta, emphasized that the debates, besides being enriching, generate a great opportunity for the improvement of the existing processes.

The event reached the proposed objectives and reinforced the expectations of a 2023 of hard work to achieve the established goals.

Photos: Sergeant Müller Marin / CECOMSAER *** Translated by the DEFCONPress FYI Team ***

By admin