Exclusive: Brazilian Navy conducts first helicopter interception exercise with AF1 Skyhawk attack aircraft.

In a significant evolution of Brazil’s naval airpower strategy, the Brazilian Navy’s 1st Interception and Attack Squadron (VF-1) has successfully conducted its first helicopter interception exercise using its AF-1 Skyhawk carrier-based attack aircraft. This exercise, held on May 25 and confirmed by the Brazilian Naval Air Force Command, marks a strategic milestone in adapting naval fighter tactics to counter modern asymmetric aerial threats, with a strong focus on rotary-wing aircraft representing low-speed, highly maneuverable targets.
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Brazilian Navy AF1 Skyhawk flying at low speed intercepts AH15A Super Cougar helicopter during a training exercise simulating rotary wing threats at sea. (Picture source: Brazilian Naval Air Force Command)

The event involved an AH-15A Super Cougar from the 2nd General Purpose Helicopter Squadron (EsqdHU-2), which simulated the role of a potential aerial threat. The operation was not only about testing interception tactics but also about validating procedures critical to visual acquisition, tracking, and approach management when dealing with rotary-wing aircraft. The Skyhawk fighters demonstrated exceptional low-speed handling, maintaining controllability and situational awareness during close-in maneuvers, a challenge typically associated with high-speed jet aircraft attempting to match the flight envelope of helicopters.

The Brazilian Navy’s initiative to integrate Slow Mover Intercept (SMI) profiles into its naval fighter aviation doctrine reflects a growing recognition of the threat posed by helicopters equipped with anti-ship missiles or employed in tactical troop insertions. These assets are increasingly present in contemporary maritime conflict scenarios and pose a complex challenge due to their ability to operate at low altitudes and speeds, evading conventional radar detection and response mechanisms.

On the modern battlefield, the role of helicopters has dramatically expanded. Armed with precision-guided munitions and advanced sensors, attack helicopters are now capable of launching devastating anti-ship strikes or executing rapid, low-altitude insertions in amphibious and coastal operations. Their agility, survivability in cluttered littoral environments, and ability to strike from unpredictable vectors make them a critical threat to naval formations and maritime infrastructure. In this evolving threat environment, the capability to intercept and neutralize such platforms is no longer optional—it is a core requirement for any navy seeking to maintain effective sea control and force protection.

Brazil's decision to train and qualify its naval fighter aviation units in helicopter interception tactics is a strategic response to these realities. The adoption of SMI doctrine ensures that the fleet can counter not only high-speed aircraft but also elusive, slow-flying platforms that operate within the “gray zones” of traditional air defense coverage. By preparing for engagements against rotary-wing threats, the Brazilian Navy significantly enhances its capacity to respond to multidomain scenarios involving hybrid warfare, coastal incursions, and maritime terrorism.

This exercise also underscores a broader effort by the Brazilian Navy to expand the role of the AF-1 Skyhawk fleet beyond traditional air-to-air engagements with fixed-wing adversaries. It positions the VF-1 squadron as a multi-role force capable of defending the fleet from both high-speed and slow, agile air threats. The operation aligns Brazil’s naval air tactics more closely with NATO-standard SMI protocols, reinforcing its strategic commitment to operational readiness and modern threat response.

The AF-1 Skyhawk, Brazil’s designation for the former U.S.-built A-4 Skyhawk, is a lightweight, carrier-capable attack aircraft designed for speed, simplicity, and reliability. Acquired from Kuwait in the late 1990s and extensively modernized by Embraer, the aircraft received a new avionics suite, mission computer, radar, and self-defense systems, effectively transforming it into a modern fighter for maritime missions. Despite its age, the Skyhawk remains a vital component of Brazil’s naval air arm, capable of air defense, interception, and now helicopter engagement roles, even without an operational aircraft carrier.

The Brazilian Navy acquired 23 A-4 aircraft from Kuwait in 1997 and re-designated them as AF-1 (single-seat) and AF-1A (two-seat) variants. A limited number underwent a comprehensive modernization program by Embraer, which included new digital avionics, improved navigation and communications, a mission computer, and structural refurbishments to extend operational life. The modernized aircraft provide the Brazilian Navy with a cost-effective platform for pilot training, fleet air defense, and tactical experiments, including the recent rotary-wing interception operations.

With no active aircraft carrier, the AF-1s now operate from land bases and simulate naval air missions, including fleet defense, interception drills, and maritime strike scenarios. Their usage in Slow Mover Intercept missions reflects Brazil’s strategic shift to counter a broader spectrum of airborne threats, such as attack helicopters and unmanned systems. The successful performance of the Skyhawk in SMI roles shows its value not only in defending the fleet from traditional threats but also in countering agile, low-speed aircraft commonly used in unconventional maritime operations.

This repurposing of a legacy platform highlights Brazil’s innovative approach to cost-effective defense capability enhancement. The successful execution of this mission affirms the Brazilian Navy’s strategic intent to develop a flexible, modern naval aviation force capable of responding effectively to the full spectrum of aerial threats. As Brazil continues to refine its doctrines and technologies, the lessons from this exercise are expected to shape future training protocols and reinforce the importance of aerial interception tactics in safeguarding maritime assets and preserving national maritime sovereignty in a rapidly evolving threat environment.