Drone Rules for Central Nuclear Almirante Álvaro Alberto
The airspace over and surrounding the Angra Nuclear Power Plant (Central Nuclear Almirante Álvaro Alberto - CNAAA) (Angra dos Reis, RJ) is classified as a strictly restricted Critical National Security and Radioactive Safety Zone. Civilian drone flights are completely banned within this permanent exclusion zone.
The Angra Nuclear Power Plant is Brazil's sole nuclear power generation facility, housing the active Angra 1 and Angra 2 reactors, alongside the under-construction Angra 3 unit. Managed by Eletronuclear, the high-security coastal complex includes nuclear reactors, spent fuel storage installations, cooling water intake structures, and massive high-voltage transformation grids.
Operating a civilian drone anywhere near a nuclear facility is a severe federal offense. The primary risks involve potential physical impacts on sensitive outdoor electrical systems, unauthorized aerial reconnaissance of tactical security positions, and the risk of catastrophic payload drops. Furthermore, the coastal airspace around Angra features a permanent, heavily monitored military no-fly zone (Designated Restricted Area SBR) extending several miles vertically and horizontally. Under DECEA instruction ICA 100-40, advanced anti-drone systems and military electronic countermeasures are active 24/7. Any unauthorized drone entering this perimeter will be immediately intercepted or neutralized via signal jamming, the equipment confiscated, and the operator detained on federal security charges.