In anticipation of its upcoming entry into service, the 1st Aviation Battalion of the Brazilian Army has begun the operational evaluation of its NAURU 1000C drones, in conjunction with the Army Aviation Command and the Army Evaluation Center.
The Nauru 1000C is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed and manufactured by the Brazilian company XMobots. It is a VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) drone with a maximum weight of 150 kg. Due to its technical characteristics, it will perform ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance) missions, target detection, and transportation. Its main sensor system is integrated into a stabilized turret with optronics that provide electro-optical (EO), mid-wave infrared (MWIR), laser rangefinder (LRF), and laser pointer (LP) images for target designation.
In addition to its low weight and vertical takeoff capability, the Nauru 1000C is characterized by its hybrid propulsion, which consists of a combustion engine combined with electric motors, allowing it to cruise at 60 knots, operate up to 10,000 feet, and have a 10-hour endurance.
Its flight is controlled from a ground control station incorporated into a 2.5-ton mobile shelter, with the capacity to store 3 UAVs, 2 GDTs (Ground Data Terminals – Automatic Pointing Telecommunications System), and 3 GCS (Ground Control Stations).
Since its incorporation into the Brazilian Army, XMobots has signed a memorandum of understanding with MBDA aiming to conduct trials for the integration of the Nauru 1000C UAV with the Enforcer anti-tank missile, as an additional capability for this system.
*Image credits: 1st Aviation Battalion of the Brazilian Army.
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