Harpia RPAS: Brazil’s Advanced Unmanned Platform for Search and Rescue

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Amid the growing consolidation of unmanned systems as strategic tools for military operations, public security and missions supporting society, the Harpia RPAS stands out as one of the most advanced remotely piloted aerial platforms developed in Latin America. Manufactured by the Brazilian company Advanced Technologies Security & Defense (ADTECH SD) in São José dos Campos, São Paulo, the system combines long endurance, BVLOS operation and substantial operational versatility in a solution designed around the specific requirements of Brazilian territory.

On 13 May, Zona Militar’s correspondent in Brazil, Angelo Nicolaci, visited the company’s facilities, observing the manufacturing, integration and operational validation processes, as well as preparations for Harpia units due to take part in a real-world search-and-rescue mission on the coast of São Paulo state.

More than simply a remotely piloted aircraft, Harpia is now one of the most advanced unmanned aerial platforms created by Brazil’s Defence Industrial Base. Fully operational and already used on live missions in Brazil, the system has established itself as a strategic domestic solution for modern long-endurance surveillance, monitoring and reconnaissance requirements.

The visit offered a close view not only of the programme’s high degree of maturity, but also of the robust industrial infrastructure ADTECH SD has built in São José dos Campos, one of Brazil’s principal technology and aerospace hubs. Throughout the technical visit, Zona Militar followed every stage, from structural aircraft manufacture through to the final integration of onboard systems.

Among the highlights was fuselage production, which employs high-performance composite materials including carbon fibre, fibreglass and Kevlar. These materials provide strong structural resistance, lower weight, improved aerodynamic efficiency and operational robustness for lengthy missions.

It was also possible to observe aircraft assembly, electronic integration, the fitting of navigation, communications and avionics systems, and the laboratories dedicated to operational validation and integration of payloads for ISTAR missions (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance).

Harpia RPAS in a São Paulo coast search-and-rescue mission

During the 13 May visit to ADTECH SD’s facilities, Angelo Nicolaci also followed the operational preparations for the deployment of Harpia units in a real search-and-rescue operation on the São Paulo coast. The mission supported rescue teams and civil defence authorities mobilised after a young person disappeared in the São Sebastião area after entering the sea in an attempt to save a friend.

The visit covered static testing of the aircraft’s systems, engine start-up, and validation of its communications and navigation systems. It also included the logistical preparations for the vehicle transporting the Harpia Ground Control Station (GCS), which would subsequently serve as a mobile operating base during the search on the northern coast of São Paulo state.

The drones were formally incorporated into the search task force on 14 May, the operation’s fourth day. They entered an exceptionally demanding operational environment defined by rough seas, hard-to-reach coastal areas and considerable risks to vessels and rescue personnel. The remotely piloted aircraft significantly increased the ability to monitor coastal sectors, particularly rocky areas, gaps between headlands and stretches where sea conditions made safe access difficult for boat crews and even for the helicopter assigned to the operation.

The operation involved both assets operated by public bodies, including Civil Defence and the Maritime Fire Brigade Group (GBMar), and private and civilian initiatives. In Harpia’s case, ADTECH SD’s platform was used to provide extended aerial coverage and real-time imagery to search teams, making use of one of its principal capabilities: endurance of up to 12 consecutive hours in the air, alongside real-time monitoring.

Following these preparations enabled Zona Militar to see Harpia in a genuine operational setting. This demonstrated not only the platform’s advanced technological maturity, but also its increasing importance for missions supporting society, civil defence, monitoring of critical areas, search and rescue (SAR), and highly complex emergencies.

Surveillance and operational capabilities of the Harpia RPAS

Harpia was designed for border surveillance, reconnaissance, maritime monitoring, protection of critical infrastructure, environmental monitoring, and support for public security and defence operations. Its architecture takes account of Brazil’s particular geography, including vast forested areas, extensive distances, inaccessible regions and the large maritime area associated with the Blue Amazon.

The system is already operating in the states of Acre and Amazonas, where it is employed in surveillance, monitoring and support missions for strategic operations in areas of high operational complexity, especially in the Amazon. Harpia has also recently been approved for public-sector operations in urban centres, considerably expanding its potential for public security missions, urban monitoring, protection of critical infrastructure and surveillance in densely populated areas. It can also support civil defence tasks, such as searching for missing people and monitoring areas affected by natural disasters.

For ADTECH SD CEO Bruno Cunha, Harpia’s entire concept began with the need to develop a platform suited to Brazil’s real requirements.

“Harpy was developed from the perspective of use in operations in Brazil, subject to the conditions of vast territorial spaces, dense forest, an immense border area and the Blue Amazon. From this perspective, the aircraft was designed to be extremely versatile,” said Bruno Cunha, CEO of ADTECH SD.

This operating philosophy gave the platform characteristics regarded as vital for complex, long-duration operations. According to information presented by the company, Harpia has endurance exceeding 12 hours, BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operating capability, extended operational range and the ability to operate in remote environments without prepared runways.

Another important distinguishing feature is its catapult-launch system and parachute-and-airbag recovery arrangement. This solution substantially reduces the need for complex logistical infrastructure and broadens its potential use in isolated regions, border areas, jungle environments and locations with limited infrastructure.

Harpia can also operate with different payload configurations, including electro-optical sensors, infrared imagers, mapping through synthetic aperture radar (SAR) or photogrammetry, signals monitoring (SIGINT), and solutions for intelligence, reconnaissance and target acquisition.

In an international environment marked by the rapid growth in drone use in contemporary conflicts, particularly following experience seen in the war between Russia and Ukraine, ADTECH SD says it has chosen to prioritise operational robustness, technological reliability and the maturity of onboard systems.

“Harpia focuses on the robustness and safety of operations, using technologies that have already been validated and exhaustively tested for ISTAR missions, with success in proof-of-concept trials and operations in Brazil and internationally,” said Bruno Cunha, CEO of ADTECH SD.

The company stresses that, although the global market has been flooded with different drone models in recent years, few platforms combine extended endurance, operational reliability, logistical flexibility and technological maturity within one system.

Certification, national technology and strategic independence

The absence of ITAR restrictions and its high level of domestic content make Harpia particularly attractive to Latin American countries and other nations seeking to expand surveillance and monitoring capabilities without excessive dependence on major international suppliers.

Another subject addressed during the visit was the complex certification process encountered during the aircraft’s operational consolidation.

“One of the main challenges in the Harpia project was certainly the bureaucratic barriers concerning certifications. Although they are absolutely necessary for safety, the process is slow and complex, and it took nearly five years for the project’s final certification to be issued.” Bruno explained.

Harpia is currently approved by ANAC for BVLOS operations and certified as a Strategic Defence Product (PED), a status regarded as essential for programmes connected with Brazilian technological sovereignty and operational independence.

At the same time, ADTECH SD considers national technological control to be central to ensuring autonomy in critical defence sectors.

“Harpia is entirely manufactured in the interior of São Paulo state, in São José dos Campos, using domestic technology, expertise and labour, with very few imported components because no equivalent exists in Brazil or the region,” said Bruno Cunha.

The visit made clear that Harpia is more than a remotely piloted aerial platform. The system represents the Brazilian Defence Industrial Base’s ability to develop complex, competitive and technologically mature solutions in one of today’s most strategic sectors.

In this context, Harpia emerges not only as a high-technology Brazilian solution, but also as a strategic alternative for Brazil, Latin America and other countries seeking effective platforms outside the traditional United States-Europe axis. Free from the political restrictions, embargoes and limitations often associated with major international manufacturers, the Harpia system brings together operational autonomy, logistical flexibility and strategic independence.

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