Brazilian Imperial Army

From Roach Busters

Contents 1 Division types 1.1 Mechanized infantry 1.1.1 Mechanized infantry brigade 1.1.1.1 Mechanized infantry battalion 1.1.1.2 Tank battalion 1.1.1.3 Artillery battalion 1.1.1.4 Aviation battalion 1.1.1.5 Engineer battalion 1.1.1.6 Reconnaissance squadron 1.1.1.7 Support battalion 1.1.2 Divisional aviation brigade 1.2 Armor 1.2.1 Armored brigade 1.2.1.1 Mechanized infantry battalion 1.2.1.2 Tank battalion 1.2.1.3 Other brigade units 1.3 Light infantry 1.3.1 Infantry brigade 1.3.1.1 Infantry battalion 1.3.1.2 Tank battalion 1.3.1.3 Other brigade units 1.4 Airborne 1.4.1 Airborne brigade 1.4.1.1 Airborne battalion 1.4.1.2 Support battalion 1.4.1.3 Other brigade units 1.5 Airmobile 1.5.1 Airmobile brigade 1.5.1.1 Infantry battalion 1.5.1.2 Attack aviation battalion 1.5.1.3 Transport aviation battalion 1.5.1.4 Assault transport aviation battalion 1.5.1.5 Support battalion 1.5.1.6 Other brigade units 1.6 Special forces 1.6.1 Aircraft 1.7 Special aviation

Division types

Mechanized infantry

Organizationally, a mechanized division is the same as an armored division. It differs, however, in that it uses lighter equipment, and is thus more easily deployable.

A mechanized infantry division enjoys the following advantages:

1. Excellent tactical mobility
2. Strong armament
3. Good protection
4. Good strategic mobility

It has the following disadvantage:

1. Less protection than an armored division

A mechanized infantry division consists of the following:

• 3 mechanized infantry brigades
• 1 divisional aviation brigade
• Headquarters
  • 120 personnel with armored vehicles under the command of a Major-General

Mechanized infantry brigade

The mechanized infantry brigade is organized as follows:

• 4 mechanized infantry battalions
• 1 tank battalion
• 1 artillery battalion
• 1 aviation battalion
• 1 engineer battalion
• 1 reconnaissance squadron
• 1 support battalion
• Headquarters
  • 30 personnel commanded by a Brigadier

Mechanized infantry battalion

The mechanized infantry battalion is comprised of 4 infantry companies, a fire support company, an engineer platoon, a logistics company, a reconnaissance platoon, and a headquarters.

The infantry company consists of 3 platoons and 1 company headquarters. Each platoon has three M113A4 Mobile Tactical Vehicle, Light (MTVL) for each of its three squads. The squad's personnel include the section leader, two machine gunners, two grenadiers, and four riflemen, one of whom is a sniper. In these vehicles there are also the platoon commanding officer, the platoon executive officer, the platoon sergeant, and the medic. The Company Headquarters has two MTVLs (carrying the company CO, the company XO, the radio unit, three medics, the company sergeant-major, a Stinger fire-team, and a Casper 250 UAV unit with two UAVs). Each MTVL carries a Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station armed with a 25mm Bushmaster cannon, a co-axial 7.62mm Rheinmetall MG3 general purpose machine gun, and two Spike-ER (extended range) missiles; each MTVL also uses the ACAV kit, with two Rheinmetall MG3s mounted on the roof on each side behind gunshields.

The fire support company consists of the following units and equipment:

• Direct fire platoon
  • 8 MTVL twin-106mm recoilless rifle carriers
• Indirect fire platoon
  • 8 MTVL AMOS twin 120mm mortar system carriers
  • 2 M113A4 Mobile Tactical Vehicle Light Universal Carriers (MTVL-UC)
• Air defense platoon
  • 8 MTVLs equipped with NASAMS launchers
• Anti-tank platoon
  • 8 XM44 Fire Units (each carrying 8 YMGM-157B Enhanced Fiber Optic Guided Missiles)
• Headquarters
  • 1 M577A4 command vehicle

The engineer platoon has two M113A4 Mobile Tactical Light Recovery Vehicles (MTVR) and two M113A4 Mobile Tactical Light Fitters Vehicles (MTFV).

The logistics company consists of the following vehicles: ten MTVL-UCs and twenty M973 Small Unit Support Vehicles.

The reconnaissance platoon has four Sabre light tanks, two MTVLs, and four HMMWVs, two of which carry Micro-Vee UAVs. The unit also includes a sniper section and two scout sections.

Headquarters is commanded by a colonel with a ten man staff, guarded by twenty security troops, and has two M577A4 command vehicles and four MTVLs.

Tank battalion

The tank battalion comprises 4 tank squadrons, a fire support company, an engineer platoon, a logistics company, a reconnaissance platoon, and a headquarters.

Each tank squadron consists of thirteen T-90 main battle tanks. These T-90s differ from their Soviet counterparts in that they have: a co-axial Rheinmetall MG3 replacing the PKT; an M2 Browning heavy machine gun in place of the 12.7mm machine gun carried on stock models; completely different communications and navigation equipment that are compatible with the equipment used by the rest of the Army; and a Western-style snorkel fitted over the commander's hatch for fording operations, as opposed to the standard tank's narrow tube, which cannot be used for escape.

The tank battalion's fire support company is noticeably smaller than that of the mechanized infantry battalion, consisting only of an indirect fire platoon and an air defense platoon (both organizationally similar to their counterparts in the mechanized infantry battalion).

The engineer platoon uses two IMR-3 combat engineer vehicles.

The remaining units are identical to their counterparts in the mechanized infantry battalion.

Artillery battalion

The artillery battalion provides the primary means of fire support for the brigade. It possesses the following units and equipment:

• 2 field artillery batteries
  • 8 M109A6 Paladin self-propelled guns
  • 8 M992 Field Artillery Ammunition Supply Vehicles
  • 2 M981A3 Fire Support Team Vehicles
  • 1 M577A4 command vehicle
• 1 rocket battery
  • 8 M270 MLRS
  • 1 M577A4 command vehicle
• 1 air defense battery
  • 8 M1097A2 Heavy HMMWV Avengers
• Headquarters
  • 1 M577A4 command vehicle

Aviation battalion

The aviation battalion provides transportation, aerial reconnaissance, and close air support for the brigade. It operates the following aircraft:

• 12 AH-64 Apache Longbow attack helicopters
• 12 Bell ARH-70 armed reconnaissance helicopters
• 12 NHI NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopters
• 8 C-27J Spartan medium transports
• 8 Luna X 2000 UAVs

Engineer battalion

• 12 BREM-80U armored recovery vehicles
• 12 MTU-90 bridge layer tanks
• 8 M3 Amphibious Rigs
• 12 IMR-2MA combat engineer vehicles
• 4 M113A4 Engineering Squad Vehicles

Reconnaissance squadron

• 12 Sabre light tanks
• 3 MTVLs

Support battalion

• Logistics
  • 10 M1093 5-ton standard cargo trucks
  • 12 M1091 fuel/water tankers
  • 6 M1089 wreckers
  • 20 M1070 Heavy Equipment Transporter Systems
  • 20 M1075 Palletized Load Systems
  • 40 MTVL-UCs
• Medical
  • 12 M113A4 Armored Medical Evacuation Vehicles (AMEV)
• Military Intelligence
  • 4 M1114 Up-Armored Armament Carriers
• Military Police
  • 18 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles
• Signals Corps
  • 4 M1015 Tracked Electronic Warfare Carriers
• Chemical Corps
  • 4 M93A1 Fox NBC reconnaissance vehicles

Divisional aviation brigade

• 20 C-27J Spartan medium transports
• 16 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters
• 12 Bell ARH-70 armed reconnaissance helicopters
• 12 AC-130U Spooky fixed-wing gunships

Armor

The heaviest type of division in the Army. It is intended to be used at the most difficult spots in both attack and defense. The weight of equipment fielded by an armored division means that it is relegated to a mainly defensive role.

An armored division has the following advantages:

1. Excellent tactical mobility
2. Strong armament
3. Excellent protection

It also has the following disadvantage:

1. Poor strategic mobility

An armored division consists of the following:

• 3 armored brigades
• 1 divisional aviation brigade
• Headquarters
  • 120 personnel with armored vehicles under the command of a Major-General

Armored brigade

The armored brigade is organized as follows:

• 4 mechanized infantry battalions
• 1 tank battalion
• 1 artillery battalion
• 1 aviation battalion
• 1 engineer battalion
• 1 reconnaissance squadron
• 1 support battalion
• Headquarters
  • 30 personnel commanded by a Brigadier

Mechanized infantry battalion

The mechanized infantry battalion is comprised of 4 infantry companies, a fire support company, an engineer platoon, a logistics company, a reconnaissance platoon, and a headquarters.

The infantry company consists of 3 platoons and 1 company headquarters. Each platoon has four CV9040s for each of its three squads. The squad's personnel include the section leader, two machine gunners, two grenadiers, and four riflemen, one of whom is a sniper. In these vehicles there are also the platoon commanding officer, the platoon executive officer, the platoon sergeant, and the medic. The Company Headquarters has two CV9040s (carrying the company CO, the company XO, the radio unit, three medics, the company sergeant-major, and a Stinger fire-team).

The fire support company consists of the following units and equipment:

• Direct fire platoon
  • 8 CV90120-T light tanks
• Indirect fire platoon
  • 8 Grkpbv 90120 tracked armored mortar vehicles
  • 2 MTVL-UCs
• Air defense platoon
  • 8 CV9040 AAVs
• Anti-tank platoon
  • 8 CV9056s
• Headquarters
  • 1 CV90 Command Vehicle

The engineer platoon has two CV90 Armored Recovery Vehicles.

The logistics company consists of the following vehicles: ten MTVL-UCs and twenty M973 Small Unit Support Vehicles.

The reconnaissance platoon has four CV9040s, a sniper section, and two scout sections.

Headquarters is commanded by a colonel with a ten man staff, guarded by sixteen security troops, and has two CV90 Command Vehicles and two CV9040s.

Tank battalion

The tank battalion comprises 4 tank squadrons, a fire support company, an engineer platoon, a logistics company, a reconnaissance platoon, and a headquarters.

Each tank squadron consists of thirteen M1A2 SEP (System Enhancement Package) main battle tanks, each outfitted with the Tank Urban Survival Kit (TUSK).

The tank battalion's fire support company is noticeably smaller than that of the mechanized infantry battalion, consisting only of an indirect fire platoon and an air defense platoon (both identical to their counterparts in the mechanized infantry battalion).

The engineer platoon uses two M1 Grizzly Engineer Vehicles and two M1 Armored Recovery Vehicles.

The remaining units are identical to their counterparts in the mechanized infantry battalion.

Other brigade units

The remaining units are identical to those in the mechanized infantry division, with only a few differences: The engineer battalion uses the M1 Grizzly Engineer Vehicle, the M1 Armored Recovery Vehicle, the M104 Wolverine Heavy Assault Bridge, the M1 Panther II Remote Controlled Mine Clearing Vehicle, and the M1 Panther II Mine Clearing Blade/Roller System; and the reconnaissance squadron uses twelve CV9040s.

Light infantry

The second-most deployable type of division in the Army, the light infantry division is organizationally similar to an airborne division, but differs in that it possess aircraft and a larger number of vehicles. Although the division is fully mechanized, the vehicles it employs are very light, thus precluding it from engaging in close combat with an armored force; as such, its primary role is counter-insurgency warfare.

The light infantry division has the following advantages:

1. Excellent tactical mobility
2. Strong armament
3. Minimal logistical requirements

It does, however, have one notable disadvantage:

1. Poor protection

A light infantry division consists of the following:

• 3 infantry brigades
• 1 divisional aviation brigade
• Headquarters
  • 120 personnel with armored vehicles under the command of a Major-General

Infantry brigade

The infantry brigade is organized as follows:

• 4 infantry battalions
• 1 tank battalion
• 1 artillery battalion
• 1 aviation battalion
• 1 engineer battalion
• 1 reconnaissance squadron
• 1 support battalion
• Headquarters
  • 30 personnel commanded by a Brigadier

Infantry battalion

The infantry battalion consists of 4 infantry companies, a fire support company, an engineer platoon, a logistics company, a reconnaissance platoon, and a headquarters.

The infantry company consists of 3 platoons and 1 company headquarters. Each platoon has three M113A4 Mobile Tactical Vehicle, Light (MTVL) for each of its three squads. The squad's personnel include the section leader, two machine gunners, two grenadiers, and four riflemen, one of whom is a sniper. In these vehicles there are also the platoon commanding officer, the platoon executive officer, the platoon sergeant, and the medic. The Company Headquarters has two MTVLs (carrying the company CO, the company XO, the radio unit, three medics, the company sergeant-major, and a Stinger fire-team). Each MTVL carries a Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station armed with a 25mm Bushmaster cannon, a co-axial 7.62mm Rheinmetall MG3 general purpose machine gun, and two Spike-ER (extended range) missiles; each MTVL also uses the ACAV kit, with two Rheinmetall MG3s mounted on the roof on each side behind gunshields.

The fire support company consists of the following units and equipment:

• Direct fire platoon
  • 8 MTVL twin-106mm recoilless rifle carriers
• Indirect fire platoon
  • 8 MTVL AMOS twin 120mm mortar system carriers
  • 2 M113A4 Mobile Tactical Vehicle Light Universal Carriers (MTVL-UC)
• Air defense platoon
  • 8 MTVLs equipped with NASAMS launchers
• Anti-tank platoon
  • 8 XM44 Fire Units (each carrying 8 YMGM-157B Enhanced Fiber Optic Guided Missiles)
• Headquarters
  • 1 M577A4 command vehicle

The engineer platoon has two CV90 Armored Recovery Vehicles.

The logistics company consists of the following vehicles: ten MTVL-UCs and twenty M973 Small Unit Support Vehicles.

The reconnaissance platoon has four Wiesel 1 Aufklärung reconnaissance vehicles, two MTVLs, a sniper section, and two scout sections.

Headquarters is commanded by a colonel with a ten man staff, guarded by sixteen security troops, and has two M577A4 command vehicles and two MTVLs.

Tank battalion

The tank battalion comprises 2 tank squadrons, a fire support company, an engineer platoon, a logistics company, a reconnaissance platoon, and a headquarters.

Each tank squadron consists of thirteen M8 Thunderbolt Armored Gun Systems (Block II).

The tank battalion's fire support company is noticeably smaller than that of the mechanized infantry battalion, consisting only of an indirect fire platoon and an air defense platoon (both organizationally identical to their counterparts in the infantry battalion).

The remaining units are identical to their counterparts in the mechanized infantry battalion.

Other brigade units

The remaining units are identical to those in the mechanized infantry division, with only a few differences: The engineer battalion uses the Mobile Tracked Vehicle Engineer (MTVE), the MTVR, the MTFV, and an armored vehicle-launched bridge based on the M8 Buford; the reconnaissance squadron uses twelve Wiesel 1 Aufklärung reconnaissance vehicles; and the artillery battalion uses the Rascal 155mm light self-propelled howitzer (supported by the MTVL-UC), the HAWK-AMRAAM system for air defense, an M577A4 command vehicle for a fire command post, and the HIMARS truck-mounted multiple rocket launcher for the rocket battery.

Airborne

The airborne division forms a rapid reaction force. It is designed to be a self sufficient unit for a short time, containing all necessary maneuver, fire, and support units to operate alone.

An airborne division has the following advantages:

1. Readiness within 72 hours
2. Small logistical footprint
3. Excellent tactical mobility

However, it has many disadvantages:

1. Poor protection
2. No tanks
3. Lack of independence

An airborne division consists of the following:

• 3 airborne brigades
• 1 divisional aviation brigade
• Headquarters
  • 120 personnel with armored vehicles under the command of a Major-General

Airborne brigade

The airborne brigade is organized as follows:

• 4 airborne battalions
• 1 artillery battalion
• 1 engineer battalion
• 1 reconnaissance squadron
• 1 support battalion
• Headquarters
  • 30 personnel commanded by a Brigadier

Airborne battalion

The airborne battalion is comprised of 4 infantry companies, a fire support company, an engineer platoon, a logistics company, a reconnaissance platoon, and a headquarters.

The infantry company has 3 infantry platoons, 1 weapons platoon, and 1 company headquarters. Each platoon consists of three squads, each with a section leader, two machine gunners, two grenadiers, and four riflemen (one of whom is a sniper), the platoon commanding officer, the platoon executive officer, the platoon sergeant, and the medic. The weapons platoon has four MTVLs, one carrying two Spike anti-tank missile teams, another carrying two Stinger fire teams, and the remaining two carrying machine guns. The company headquarters has two MTVLs (carrying the company CO, the company XO, the radio unit, three medics, and the company sergeant-major. Each MTVL carries a Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station armed with a 25mm Bushmaster cannon, a co-axial 7.62mm Rheinmetall MG3 general purpose machine gun, and two Spike-ER (extended range) missiles; each MTVL also uses the ACAV kit, with two Rheinmetall MG3s mounted on the roof on each side behind gunshields.

The fire support company consists of the following units and equipment:

• Direct fire platoon
  • 4 M8 Thunderbolt Armored Gun Systems (Block II)
• Indirect fire platoon
  • 4 Wiesel 2 Mortars
• Air defense platoon
  • 4 Wiesel 2 Ozelot LeFlaSys Launcher Variant 1
  • 1 Wiesel 2 BF/UF LeFlaSys Command
  • 1 Wiesel 2 AFF LeFlaSys Radar
• Anti-tank platoon
  • 4 Wiesel 2 ATM HOTs
• Headquarters
  • 1 Wiesel 2 Command vehicle

The engineer platoon has two Wiesel 2 Pionier combat engineer vehicles.

The logistics company consists of the following vehicles: six MTVL-UCs and sixteen M973 Small Unit Support Vehicles.

The reconnaissance platoon has four Wiesel 1 Aufklärung, two MTVLs, a sniper section, and two scout sections.

Headquarters is commanded by a colonel with a ten man staff, guarded by sixteen security troops, and has two M577A4 command vehicles and four MTVLs.

Support battalion

• Logistics
  • 12 M973 Small Unit Support Vehicles
  • 12 M1083 standard cargo trucks
• Medical
  • 12 Wiesel 2 Ambulances
• Military Intelligence
  • 2 M1114 Up-Armored Armament Carriers
• Military Police
  • 6 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles
• Signals Corps
  • 4 M1015 Tracked Electronic Warfare Carriers
• Chemical Corps
  • 2 M93A1 Fox NBC reconnaissance vehicles

Other brigade units

The remaining units are identical to those in the mechanized infantry division, with only a few differences: The engineer battalion uses the MTVE, the MTVR, the MTFV, and an armored vehicle-launched bridge based on the M8 Buford; the reconnaissance squadron uses twelve Wiesel 1 Aufklärung reconnaissance vehicles; and the artillery battalion uses the Rascal 155mm light self-propelled howitzer (supported by the MTVL-UC), the HAWK-AMRAAM system for air defense, an M577A4 command vehicle for a fire command post, and the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System for the rocket battery, and the role normally taken by the M981A3 Fire Support Team Vehicles is instead carried out by forward artillery observers on foot.

Airmobile

Airmobile divisions are designed to have tactical mobility by helicopter. It has no tanks, and less artillery than other divisions, but more aircraft than any other type of division.

Its advantages are:

1. Excellent tactical mobility
2. No geographical limitations

Its disadvantages are:

1. Poor protection
2. No tanks
3. Enormous logistical and technical support requirements

An airmobile division consists of the following:

• 3 airmobile brigades
• 1 divisional aviation brigade
• Headquarters
  • 120 personnel with armored vehicles under the command of a Major-General

Airmobile brigade

The airmobile brigade is organized as follows:

• 4 infantry battalions
• 1 attack aviation battalion
• 1 transport aviation battalion
• 2 assault transport aviation battalions
• 1 artillery battalion
• 1 engineer battalion
• 1 reconnaissance squadron
• 1 support battalion
• Headquarters
  • 30 personnel commanded by a Brigadier

Infantry battalion

The infantry battalion is comprised of four infantry companies, a fire support company, a reconnaissance platoon, and a headquarters.

The infantry company consists of three platoons and a company headquarters. Each platoon has three squads and a Platoon Headquarters. The squad's personnel include the section leader, two machine gunners, two grenadiers, and four riflemen, one of whom is a sniper. In these vehicles there are also the platoon commanding officer, the platoon executive officer, the platoon sergeant, and the medic. The Company Headquarters has the company CO, the company XO, the radio unit, three medics, four medium machine-gun teams and the company sergeant-major).

The fire support company consists of the following units and equipment:

• Direct fire platoon
  • 4 M8 Thunderbolt Armored Gun Systems (Block II)
  • 2 MTVLs
• Indirect fire platoon
  • 4 Wiesel 2 Mortars
• Air defense platoon
  • 4 Wiesel 2 Ozelot LeFlaSys Launcher Variant 1
  • 1 Wiesel 2 BF/UF LeFlaSys Command
  • 1 Wiesel 2 AFF LeFlaSys Radar
• Anti-tank platoon
  • 4 Wiesel 2 ATM HOTs
  • 2 M50A1 Ontos tank destroyers
• Headquarters
  • 1 Wiesel 2 Command vehicle

The reconnaissance platoon has a sniper section and two scout sections.

Headquarters is commanded by a colonel with a ten man staff, guarded by sixteen security troops.

Attack aviation battalion

• 8 Bell ARH-70 armed reconnaissance helicopters
• 24 AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters

Transport aviation battalion

• 20 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters

Assault transport aviation battalion

• 24 NHI NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopters

Support battalion

• Medical
  • 12 UH-60Q Black Hawks
• Military Intelligence
  • 2 M1114 Up-Armored Armament Carriers
• Military Police
  • 6 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles
• Signals Corps
  • 4 EH-60C Black Hawks
• Chemical Corps
  • 2 M93A1 Fox NBC reconnaissance vehicles

Other brigade units

The reconnaissance squadron uses twelve Wiesel 1 Aufklärung reconnaissance vehicles and the artillery battalion uses the M119A1 105mm towed howitzer (supported by the M1114), the HAWK-AMRAAM system for air defense, an M577A4 command vehicle for a fire command post, and the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System for the rocket battery. The role normally taken by the M981A3 Fire Support Team Vehicles is instead carried out by forward artillery observers on foot and by Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters.

Special forces

The 17th Special Forces Division is an elite special operations force trained for guerrilla warfare, unconventional warfare, and special operations. It is trained to fight in any type of combat or terrain, with minimal protection and technical support. Flexible and rapidly deployable, the division employs a variety of specialized skills that enables it to be employed against a variety of conventional and special operations targets; among its specialties are air assault and direct action operations, raids, infiltration and exfiltration by air, land, or sea, airfield seizure, recovery of personnel and special equipment, support of general purpose forces, and psychological operations.

The division is tasked with six specific missions:

1. Unconventional warfare
2. Special reconnaissance
3. Direct action
4. Counter-terrorism
5. Counter-proliferation
6. Information operations

The special forces enjoy a high degree of self-sufficiency and require little in the way of technical support, aside from aviation support, which is provided by the 106th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (its missions include attack, assault, and reconnaissance, and are usually conducted at night, at high speeds and low altitudes, on short notice, and in secret).

The special forces are highly-trained, highly-mobile personnel whose operational and fighting capabilities are considered to be among the best in the world, rivalling the United Kingdom's Special Air Service and other elite forces.

Aircraft

The 106th Special Operations Aviation Regiment operates modified versions of the CH-47 Chinook, OH-6 Cayuse, and UH-60 Black Hawk that are not used by any other unit in the Brazilian Imperial Armed Forces. The specialized versions are listed as follows:

• Chinook
  • MH-47D
  • MH-47E
  • MH-47G
• Cayuse
  • AH-6C
  • MH-6E
• Black Hawk
  • MH-60G Pave Hawk
  • MH-60K Black Hawk
  • MH-60L Direct Action Penetrator

Special aviation

The 21st Special Aviation Division provides the Brazilian Imperial Army's heavy-lift capabilities. It operates the following aircraft:

• Airbus A400M
• Alenia C-27J Spartan
• C-130J Super Hercules
• C-47 Skytrain
• CH-47F Chinook
• CH-54 Tarhe
• DHC-4 Caribou
• DHC-5 Buffalo
• DHC-6 Twin Otter
• Embraer C-390
• NHI NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter
• Sikorsky S-92