Equipment is being used to map the area of operations under the responsibility of the military and agencies
Air Force Agency, by Lieutenant Gabrielle Varela
Catrimani II Joint Command
In order to increase the effectiveness of actions aimed at combating illegal mining in the Yanomami Indigenous Land (YIL) in the Boa Vista region (RR), the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) transported the Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) “Nauru 500C”, which is equipment classified by the Armed Forces as a Remotely Piloted Aerial System (RPAS), using the H-36 Caracal helicopter of the First Fleet of the Eighth Aviation Group (1º/8º GAV) – Falcão Squadron.
The aircraft is being used to map the areas of operations under the responsibility of the military and agencies that make up the Government House in Roraima.
The Management and Operational Center of the Amazon Protection System (CENSIPAM) sent a team of four specialists to operate the Nauru 500C in the context of repressive actions against illegal mining, cross-border illicit activities and environmental crimes in the YIL.
“As CENSIPAM’s mission is to work on the Amazon Protection System, we support various civilian bodies, as well as the military, such as ICMBio, IBAMA, the Federal Police and the Armed Forces.
This new instrument will enable both mapping and surveillance and monitoring of the site,” said Captain Bruno Tunes, from CENSIPAM.
To handle the aircraft, CENSIPAM uses YIL: ground communication antennas, an air control notebook, extra batteries and aviation fuel, as well as maintenance tools. Due to its flight characteristics and sensors, it is an instrument that requires specialized training and cannot be operated by anyone without certification.
The Nauru 500C is one of the most complete technologies for security and monitoring missions. As well as being versatile and resistant to strong winds, it is very easy to operate due to its vertical take-offs and landings. The drone has a flight autonomy of 4 hours in its hybrid version (fuel + battery), guaranteeing the presence of the operation even in places that are difficult to access.
The use of RPAS by the Brazilian Armed Forces represents a significant advance for military operations and national defense.
The use of technologies such as the Nauru 500C in Operation CATRIMANI II demonstrates the military’s capacity for innovation and adaptation in tackling complex challenges, such as the fight against illegal mining in the Yanomami Indigenous Land.
Since 2014, the FAB has operated the RQ-900 Hermes aircraft, which have sensors with high-definition cameras for obtaining images, as well as laser marker illumination, and the RQ-1150 Heron I, which have a flight range of up to 40 hours. These are operated, respectively, by the First Squadron of the Twelfth Aviation Group (1º/12º GAV) – the Horus Squadron – based in Santa Maria (RS), and the First Squadron of the Seventh Aviation Group (1º/7º GAV) – the Orungan Squadron – based in Santa Cruz (RJ).
Catrimani II Joint Command
Operation CATRIMANI II is a joint action between Public Security bodies, Agencies and the Armed Forces, in coordination with the State Government House in Roraima, in the temporary and episodic use of resources in the Yanomami Indigenous Land, in compliance with GM-MD Ordinance No. 1511, of March 26, 2024, which aims to act in a preventive and repressive manner against illegal mining, cross-border illicit activities and environmental crimes.
Photos: Catrimani II Joint Command