Brazil receives more Israeli UAVs

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BRASILIA, Brazil, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- The Brazilian air force says it is in the process of assembling two unmanned aerial vehicles from Israel for first flight next month.

The UAVs are RQ-450 Hermes from Elbit Systems. The medium-size, multi-payload aircraft are mainly used for reconnaissance and surveillance and have a flight endurance of about 20 hours.

The aircraft will be the third and fourth operated by the Brazilian air force. The two feature upgrades such as high-resolution infrared cameras, improved communication systems and radar that captures images through cloud cover.

Brazil's UAVs are operated by the air force's Horus Squadron, a special unit created specifically for UAV operations and for developing UAV doctrine development.

"Within the (Brazilian air force), these aircraft are controlled from the ground by airmen with experience in aircraft and combat helicopters, as well as expertise in military missions and rules of airspace control," the service said.

The RQ-450s will be used in upcoming exercise in the country's border regions.