On July 27, 2024, the Brazilian Army announced a renewed effort to combat the illegal mining that is devastating indigenous territories by deploying the high-tech drone, Nauru 500C. This unmanned aerial vehicle, transported by an H-36 Caracal helicopter from the Falcon Squadron of the Brazilian Air Force, represents a significant advancement in surveillance and environmental protection efforts.
Developed by XMobots, the Nauru 500C is an advanced platform designed for surveillance and reconnaissance operations, particularly suited to challenging environments and security missions. It is distinguished by its exceptional four-hour flight autonomy, allowing extensive coverage of monitored areas. Thanks to its VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) design, it can operate in confined or hostile areas, which is crucial for missions in hard-to-access regions such as dense forests or high-risk urban zones.
The drone is equipped with high-resolution sensors that enable precise mapping of large areas. With sensors such as the XM3, it can capture high-quality images with planimetric accuracy of less than 5 cm at 120 meters above ground level. This capability is enhanced by integrated RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) technology, ensuring high precision for projects requiring exact measurements. Suitable for BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations, the Nauru 500C can be equipped according to the specific needs of the mission, including multispectral cameras for precision agriculture or ISR systems for surveillance and reconnaissance. This allows it to support various types of missions, thereby increasing its flexibility and applicability in different operational contexts.
Under the supervision of the Management and Operations Center of the Amazon Protection System (CENSIPAM), the Nauru 500C has been specifically deployed to map and monitor areas affected by unauthorized mining activities, particularly in the Boa Vista region and the Yanomami territory. These regions, often inaccessible and difficult to monitor, will benefit from the advanced technology of the drone to perform reconnaissance and real-time information collection missions.
Captain Bruno Tunes, one of the leaders of CENSIPAM, explains the importance of this initiative:
“By working jointly with civilian and military entities such as ICMBio, IBAMA, the Federal Police, and the Armed Forces, we can not only monitor but also take proactive measures against environmental violations. The Nauru 500C is a valuable tool in our arsenal, allowing extensive and continuous monitoring of targeted areas.”
Thanks to these capabilities, the Nauru 500C positions itself as a powerful tool for security, surveillance, and reconnaissance applications, providing operators with the ability to conduct complex missions with efficiency and precision. For more information on its technical specifications.
Source: Army Recognition