The Brazilian Army has conducted tests of the second prototype of its enhanced UT30BR remote-controlled weapon system as part of ongoing modernization efforts for its armored vehicle fleet. The trials took place in Rio de Janeiro, where personnel from the Manufacturing Directorate and the War Arsenal of Rio evaluated the system’s integration and effectiveness on the 6×6 Guarani armored personnel carrier.
These assessments included live-fire demonstrations designed to ensure the weapon’s proper functionality and reliability in field conditions. The results of these evaluations are seen as significant steps toward a comprehensive review leading to potential deployment.
This innovative project is being developed through a contractual partnership with ARES Aeroespacial e Defesa, a defense company based in Duque de Caxias, which is tasked with updating the turret technology and adapting it for various armored platforms.
The UT30BR is equipped with a 30-millimeter Mk44 Bushmaster II as its primary armament, offering selectable firing modes with a cyclic rate of approximately 100-200 rounds per minute. Its effective direct-fire range fluctuates between 2,000 to 3,000 meters, depending on the types of ammunition and optics used.
In addition, the system incorporates a coaxial 7.62-millimeter machine gun, advanced day and thermal imaging cameras, a laser rangefinder, and a ballistic computer which aids in aiming and target tracking. The turret benefits from gyro stabilization and automatic tracking capabilities, enabling the carrier to maintain accurate fire while on the move and ensuring crew safety inside the vehicle.
Configurable features of the turret permit adjustments to ammunition capacity and protective measures based on specific vehicle requirements. Most configurations include a dual-feed system accommodating several hundred rounds and are designed with modular armor rated to NATO STANAG 4569 level 2, capable of withstanding rifle fire and shrapnel from explosions.
The success of the recent tests underscores the Brazilian Army’s commitment to enhancing its operational capabilities through technological advancement in its combat vehicles. Once all evaluations are completed and the system receives approval, the UT30BR is poised to be deployed in Guarani vehicles utilized for troop transport and battlefield support missions.
