T
he Brazilian Navy (BN) needs to have both the capabilities and capacity
to meet a wide range of demands over vast and diverse geographic areas.
In addition to acquiring more manned vessels and aircraft, the BN could
expand its capabilities and capacity by investing in unmanned systems
across multiple domains, building on existing capabilities. The BN already employs
unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), primarily for intelligence, surveillance, and
reconnaissance (ISR). For example, naval infantry forces use the Horus FT-100 UAV
for ISR (having previously used the Caracará UAV), and the BN has been explor-
ing the potential use of the Swell Pro 3 UAV for maritime surveillance. However,
as unmanned vehicles become more capable, versatile, multidomain, and afford-
able, the BN could benefit from using unmanned vehicles for a wider array of mis-
sions and environments. This Perspective explores some of the ways the BN could
use unmanned systems to improve effectiveness and, potentially, reduce risks and
costs. This document has two key purposes. The first is to briefly inform Brazilian
decisionmakers as they explore potential ways to incorporate additional unmanned
SCOTT SAVITZ
Opportunities for the Brazilian
Navy to Employ Additional
Unmanned Systems
C O R P O R A T I O N
Perspective
EXPERT INSIGHTS ON A TIMELY POLICY ISSUE
August 2021
