Project expands combat capacity of the Armed Forces, but depends on budget predictability to move forward
Last week, the Navy concluded the launch tests of the 1st tactical attack drone developed by the Armed Forces in Brazil. The equipment, produced by Marine Corps personnel, was evaluated during Operation Furnas 2025 and represents, according to the Force, an advance in the country’s combat capacity and technological modernization.
The project is led by military personnel from the Air Combat Battalion, that already used specific models for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The prototype, with a wingspan of 1.64 meters and an autonomy of 25 minutes, carries an explosive charge capable of neutralizing vehicles and aircraft within a radius of up to 5 kilometers.
The technical advance comes at the same time that the Navy prepares the activation of the Marine Corps, announced in October during the 3rd International Defense and Security Symposium. The creation of the squadron marks the Force’s intention to transform the use of experimental unmanned systems into permanent operational capabilities.
In an interview with Poder360the commander of the Air Combat Battalion, sea and war captain, Rodrigo Rodrigues, directly linked the project to the doctrinal modernization of the Navy: “The objective is to keep up with the evolution of modern warfare and increase the ability to cause damage to the opponent, especially in support of Marine troops”he declared.
According to the official, the model being tested is an adaptation of a surveillance model already used by the Navy that underwent adaptations to transport an explosive device safely for flight. “We already had a fixed wing project for reconnaissance. We improved the system and added explosives so that it could carry out attack missions”, said the commander.
For war operations
Rodrigues detailed the planned operational use: the platform was designed primarily for war scenarios and kinetic combat actions, not for major civil support or Law and Order Guarantee (GLO) missions. “It is a technology more used for war operations, more kinetic combat operations”said the commander.
The equipment can operate autonomously or manually, with computer-programmed navigation and human intervention when necessary. “Most of the time it follows an automatic route, but the operator can take control at any time”explained the sea and war captain. The Navy intends to incorporate artificial intelligence systems for target identification in the future.
During the tests, according to the commander, the drone performed satisfactorily. “For every 3 launches, 2 successfully hit the target. This is a very good rate for a national prototype under development”, evaluated.
Low cost
The development is based on accessible and low-cost technologies. A tactical drone like the one developed by the Navy costs a few thousand reais, but can immobilize a vehicle worth millions, says the official.
The commander warned, however, that the continuity of the project depends on the regularity of resources. “A technological project like this cannot stand still. If it goes six months without investment, it goes back to square one. Budget predictability is essential to not waste taxpayer money”these.
Launched in 2024, the program remains in the testing phase, but there are plans to create partnerships with universities and the defense industry to enable scale production. “The idea is to reach a final product and, with the support of the industrial base, guarantee the continuity and constant updating of the project”said commander Rodrigo Rodrigues.
