Naval Force improves and expands its combat capabilities during commission off the coast of Rio de Janeiro
By Lieutenant Simone Brandão and Lieutenant Klojda
Operation “Launch of Weapons III – 2024”, conducted by the Brazilian Navy (MB) between July 20 and 23, mobilized Fleet ships and aircraft to deploy real weaponry against surface and air targets off the coast of Rio de Janeiro (RJ).
During the exercise, “Aspide” Surface-to-Air Missiles were used against targets simulating Unmanned Surface Vehicles, as well as AF-1 fighters in engagements against Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), defending the Force against this new type of threat. The aim of the activities was to improve the training of the crews and the effectiveness of the ships’ on-board weapons systems, increasing the ability to respond to adversities that could jeopardize the country’s interests in the Blue Amazon.
According to the Commander of the Task Group (GT) responsible for the Operation, Captain Caetano Quinaia Silveira, the commission was a success and met its objectives. “We are aware of the new threats observed in current conflicts, as well as the importance of each exercise in developing capabilities and doctrines for using our weapons against them. These opportunities to use real weapons are a practical demonstration that the Navy and its ships and aircraft are ready to defend our interests.” The frigates “Defensora”, “Constituição” and “Liberal” were mobilized for the operation. Two AF-1 “Skyhawk” fighters from the 1st Interception and Attack Fleet (VF-1) and an AH-11B “Super Lynx” helicopter from the 1st Clarification and Attack Squadron also took part.
In addition to the firepower of the missiles used, the level of training of the military personnel involved was fundamental to achieving the purpose of the training. “Sea days are also opportunities to train the crew. The operation was also very successful in this respect,” said Captain Quinaia, who is also Commander of the 1st Fleet. During the commission, damage control exercises were also carried out, simulating combat situations, with the aim of testing and improving the crew’s readiness to respond to possible adverse events, such as fires and flooding on board.
The interception and destruction of UAVs, carried out by the fighters, was aimed at confirming the vector’s ability to be used to destroy small armed aerial targets that pose a threat. The action began with the deployment of AF-1 “Skyhawk” fighters from the São Pedro da Aldeia Naval Air Base to the exercise area, following the detection of the “Banshee” drone, launched from the “Constituição” frigate and controlled by the Operational Systems Support Center team. Control of the interceptor aircraft was the responsibility of the “Defensora”, which carried out the initial navigation guidance for the AF-1s, which used their 20 mm caliber machine guns on the target.
The air operations carried out during Operation “Weapons Launch III – 2024” helped to improve the qualifications of pilots and the operational capacity of the aircraft, allowing the testing of equipment, systems and on-board sensors, as well as the reaction capacity of the ships. Operations with the launch of real combat weapons ensure the preparation of the Naval Power and enable its use, which is the MB’s mission.
The actions carried out by the military in response to the alleged adversary’s attacks were planned based on the guidelines of strategic documents, such as the National Defense Strategy and the Maritime Defense Strategy. These publications guide the capabilities that the Force must have and are inserted in the MB’s fields of action and in the basic tasks of Naval Power, such as controlling maritime areas, denying the use of the sea to the enemy and carrying out maritime protection.
Source: Agência Marinha de Notícias