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Brazil’s Constant War in the Jungle
Embraer is very proud of its role in combating illegal drug manufacturing/running in the Amazonian jungle. Its ERJ-145-based R-99A and R-99B are operated by the Brazilian Air Force under the SIVAM (SIstema de Vigilancia de AMazonia) program. “The sensors are so good that we have found many drug-smuggling runways in the jungle,” said Anastacio Katsanos, Embraer’s Chief of Defense Programs.
“One of our AEW&C R-99As spotted an aircraft 200 kms away and flying into the middle of nowhere. Infrared imagery from an R-99B (remote sensing aircraft) was then focused on the area, and on closer examination it found an illegal runway. In this case the local police were flown in by helicopter and blew up sections of the runway. The repairs will probably take a couple of months, but we will continue to monitor and the authorities will blow it up again if necessary,” said Katsanos.
The Brazilian Parliament passed laws to authorize the air force to shoot down illegal aircraft, but only after a number of procedures had taken place to identify and classify the flight as illegal. Once intercepted, the aircraft has to identify itself or it will be ordered to land. Failing this the Commander of the Brazilian Air Force makes the final decision to use ultimate force. —Mike Vines
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