An inspection by the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) identified that four drone blocking equipment installed in the palaces of Planalto, Alvorada and Jaburu interfered with at least 173 landings and takeoffs from Brasília International Airport, in the period of one year (between April 2021 and March 2022).
The information is contained in an agency report, to which the CNN had access. The document was finalized in May 2022. The equipment in question was acquired two years earlier by the Institutional Security Office (GSI) of the Presidency of the Republic on the grounds of “avoiding espionage and increasing the security of palace facilities”.
In the report, Anatel reinforces the origin of the problem and requests the immediate interruption of the operation of the drone jammers operated by the GSI. Installed at least 10 kilometers away from Brasília airport.
“In view of the results obtained and reported in this report, it was found that interference in the GPS reception system of aircraft, with loss of RNAV capacity [navegação] in Brasilia, were caused by the emissions of the four blocking equipment SCE 0100 – DRONEBLOCKER operated by the Office of Institutional Security of the Presidency of the Republic”, says the text.
The GSI reported that it is unaware of the document. And that the drone protection system installed in the palaces is operational and there is no forecast to be turned off or replaced.
The folder also replied that a normative act by Anatel authorized the use of equipment of this nature “in the places and surroundings where the President of the Republic and the Vice President work, reside or have the imminence of becoming, both within the limits of these places , up to a distance of two hundred meters around them”.
According to Anatel, authorization for the use of blockers exists. The problem would be the “type of equipment” used. Including, the inspection report recommends another sector of Anatel to evaluate the possible cancellation of the certification granted by the agency to the equipment manufacturer. This, according to those responsible for the study, because even if the frequency or intensity were regulated, risks to aviation would not cease.
“It is suggested that an in-depth investigation be carried out with the aforementioned manufacturer, as well as others, if any, to survey the sale of similar equipment to other entities. It is also necessary to carry out preventive monitoring of the use of similar equipment by parts of embassies located in Brasília.”
Oversight
Anatel’s performance in the case began in April 2021, when it received a record from the Air Force reporting interference in the aircraft’s GPS reception system, with loss of navigation capacity in Brasilia.
“We have lately received several reports of interference in the GPS system in the Brasília airport area. Our Flight Inspection Group (GEIV) carried out a radio monitoring mission, but found no ‘interfering’ source. We asked them for further research on site due to new constant reports from our Regional Office of Brasilia (CINDACTA 1). Due to the criticality of these events for aviation safety, I request support from this Agency”, reported the document.
wanted by CNN the FAB did not comment on the matter.
After that, Anatel began a sweep in telephone and television station towers. Nothing has been found.
Based on a report of an incident at Santos Dumont Airport, in Rio de Janeiro, in which the drone jammer had interfered with the communication between the control tower and the aircraft, similar hypotheses began to be raised in Brasília.
In March 2022, tests were carried out in the vicinity of Praça dos Três Poderes. First on the ground. Then using a helicopter. The aircraft stayed in the region of the two runways at JK Airport.
At first, the drone jammers of the three presidential palaces were on. There was interference. In the second test, the equipment was turned off and no problems occurred.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m James Harper, a highly experienced and accomplished news writer for World Stock Market. I have been writing in the Politics section of the website for over five years, providing readers with up-to-date and insightful information about current events in politics. My work is widely read and respected by many industry professionals as well as laymen.
