In 1982, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB) took a decisive step by selecting Aeroeletrônica, a company from Rio Grande do Sul, to develop and produce the first avionics systems using 100% national technology. This milestone laid the foundations for the Brazilian avionics industry and initiated a trajectory of innovation that would be consolidated over the following decades.
More than a decade later, in 1994, the FAB once again pioneered in Latin America by equipping its A-1 (AMX) fighter fleet with the Head-Up Display (HUD), technology that projected critical flight data directly into the pilot’s field of view, thereby enhancing situational awareness, safety, and effectiveness in combat missions. ELOP (Electro-Optics Industries) was selected to supply the system, which at the time was among the most advanced in the world. The contract was structured with offset clauses and technology transfer to Aeroeletrônica, ensuring that knowledge and technological capability remained in Brazil.
This strategic move not only brought the first Head-Up Display system to the FAB, elevating the operational standard of combat aviation, but also strengthened the capacity of our Defense Industrial Base (DIB). In 2011, Aeroeletrônica changed its name to AEL Sistemas, reflecting its continuous evolution and strategic repositioning, yet it remains the only Brazilian company to master the technology and supply HUDs for Brazilian Air Force aircraft, including the multi-mission KC-390, the new F-39 Gripen fighter, and the A-29 Super Tucano, among others. AEL Sistemas currently employs approximately 500 professionals, including over 200 engineers, and continues to serve as a technological partner to the FAB, investing in innovation, generating knowledge, and reinforcing national sovereignty.
