Between June 15th and 18th, the Brazilian Navy (MB) carried out Operation Weapons Launch on the coast of Rio de Janeiro (RJ). During the exercise, MB aircraft and vessels used weapons such as missiles, bombs and cannons.
According to MB, the operation sought “raise the level of military training and improve the effectiveness of weapons systems, by firing at a surface target.”
For the Commander of the Operation's Task Group, also Commander of the 2nd Division of the Squadron, Rear-iral Jorge José de Moraes Rulff, the weapons launch commissions are essential, as they allow evaluating and improving the Naval Force's response capacity in scenarios real combat.
“Every Weapons Launch operation is very important to increase the level of training of the Squadron, naval and naval air resources, making it possible to ensure that our weapons systems and teams are perfectly aligned and prepared for any eventuality that threatens the security of our Homeland and the riches of our immense Blue Amazon”He explained.
For the exercise, the following scenario was created: a merchant ship, suspected of involvement with an extremist organization, monitored by the Maritime Operations and Protection Command of the Blue Amazon (COMPAAz), attacked a Brazilian oil platform. In response, the Second Squadron Division was mobilized to neutralize the enemy.
The simulated target was towed by the Corvette Caboclo (V19), from the Rio de Janeiro Naval Base to the exercise area. The following morning, it was the turn of the Defender Frigate (F41), Operation Flagship, to move to the area as Task Group Commander.
The first shots were fired by SH-16 Seahawk helicopters, which launched AGM-119 Penguin Air-to-Surface Missiles (MAS) for simultaneous impact on the target. Then, an AF-1 Skyhawk fighter (A-4) launched medium and high altitude Low Drag General Purpose (BAFG) bombs and fired 20mm cannons at the target.
The Commander of the Naval Air Force, Rear iral Emerson Gaio Roberto, emphasized the importance of these operations to improve the ability to employ weapons effectively and safely and reinforce the Navy's commitment to being prepared to act in defense of the Homeland. Air control during the dropping of the bombs was coordinated by the AH-15B Pegasus helicopter, directing the attacks by helicopters and fighters.
Then, the crew of the Defending Frigate prepared to fire surface shots with the 4.5-inch cannon. According to the Commander of the Capitânia, Frigate Captain Gustavo Almeida Matos de Carvalho, the ship's performance in the Operation significantly expanded the capacity of combat power to protect the Blue Amazon.
The exercise also included the participation of a detachment of Navy Special Operations Combat Divers, responsible for infiltrating the target to activate the heat-generating device and explosive charge.
The Navy also counted on the collaboration of Brazilian air force, with the P-95 Bandeirulha aircraft, which cleaned the area, ensuring that there were no other vessels or aircraft present during the actions. The different types of weapons used culminated in the sinking of the target.
“My assessment, as Task Group Commander, is that our mission was accomplished. We managed to optimize these two and a half days at sea and increase training, both for the ship and aircraft, and for the crew on board”, stated Rear iral Rulff.
With Marine Agency
