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AEL develops weapons of Guarani
AEL Sistemas, from Porto Alegre, is in final development of weapons system for the national armored Guarani. The production of the vehicle, which will have 60% of domestic content, will begin next year, in a factory that Iveco is building in the city of Sete Lagoas (MG).
The weapon system for Guarani, also known by the acronym UT30BR, consists of a 30mm cannon and a 7.62 mm machine gun, remotely controlled by the shooter and the commander of the tower, mounted on top of the vehicle. It also has a computer center shot, allowing the crew to run precision shots even when the vehicle is in motion.
According to the Vice President of Operations at AEL, Vitor Neves, the sale of the first production batch of the system is being negotiated with the Brazilian Army to equip 16 cars that will precede the mass production model, a program that provides units in 2044 20.
The first car of the pilot batch was delivered by Iveco to the Army last week, during the Eurosatory, the largest fair of defense equipment in Europe.
According to AEL executive, a protocol of intent signed with the Army Staff includes supply of 216 nationalized units. "To fulfill this contract, the AEL will make an additional investment of $ 8 million, plus the $ 10 million already invested in building a technology center dedicated to the development of defense technologies in the area of defense," he said.
The Army has three turrets manufactured by Elbit Systems, AEL Israeli parent company. The company plans to hire 70 employees to meet the demands of Army weapons systems. "The development of systems UT30BR will also mobilize the participation of 150 officials from other Brazilian companies in specialized areas of mechanical structure and shielding," said the executive.
The system UT30 is used in other military programs in Belgium, Portugal and Slovenia. Vitor Neves said that the engagement of Brazilian engineers in the development of systems will allow the domain of technologies in optronics, optical sensors, shielding, and ground stabilization platform fire control computers.
The executive estimates that from 30% of the program developed, the rate of transfer of technology from the Guarani weapons systems will be 50%. At the end of the program is provided almost 100% nationalization of the system. The contract with the Army was determined that the systems of three prototypes will be assembled in Brazil by a team of his own army and with the support of the AEL.
"AEL have being working for two years on this project, which can be considered as, or more complex then aircraft avionics systems for next generation fighter," he said. The construction of the building where the systems will be manufactured according to Neves, is already 60% complete and is going to be ready for use in December this year.
It is also in this building that AEL intends to focus the development of technologies to meet the projects currently working on defense. The company was selected to provide the avionics (electronics board) AS350 Army helicopters, which are being upgraded, as well as for 50 EC725 helicopters that will equip the armed forces of Brazil and in part to be produced in Brazil.
Embraer also selected AEL to provide four systems the carrier KC-390, which have being developed for the Air Force (FAB). The two companies have Harpia JV, to explore the market for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Embraer is also one of the shareholders of AEL, with 25% stake in the company.
Source: Valor Econômico