Airbus contracts futuristic SIRTAP drone development exclusively in Spain

Airbus, a leading aerospace corporation, has recently finalised a contract with the Spanish Ministry of Defence for the development and procurement of SIRTAP, a state-of-the-art High-Performance Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) worth over 540 million, on Wednesday.

This agreement includes the provision of nine comprehensive systems, each comprising three unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and a ground control station. Additionally, the contract includes the supply of two simulators crucial for training the Spanish Armed Forces. The Spanish defense ministry said, ‘Its (SIRTAP’s) entry into service will be in 2026.'

SIRTAP’s strategic significance and specifications

Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Military Air Systems at Airbus Defence and Space, expressed the strategic importance of this collaboration, stating, "This new technological milestone in the tactical UAS segment, together with the Spanish Ministry of Defence, will reinforce national sovereignty." Notably, SIRTAP will undergo full development in Spain, integrating domestic capabilities. Furthermore, its adaptability and use of ITAR-free components are anticipated to establish a pivotal role in the global market.

With a payload exceeding 150 kilograms, SIRTAP has been purposefully designed for surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions across both land and sea domains. Boasting an operational range of over 2,000 kilometres and an endurance surpassing 20 hours, the system, as per Airbus, ensures ‘high flexibility’ and ‘responsiveness, enabling operations during day and night in the most challenging environments. Crucially, the UAS will be certified to navigate segregated airspace.

Future integration and development

Future plans envision SIRTAP operating collaboratively with other platforms, integrated into a comprehensive system of systems. The development of this UAS is anticipated to provide vital expertise and competencies to the national industry, particularly in the realm of Remote Carriers for FCAS.

Scheduled for its maiden flight in 2025, the SIRTAP prototype, as per officials, will be a leap in the high-end tactical UAS sector. Its dual applications cater to a wide spectrum of missions tailored to the operational requisites of customers in institutional and governmental markets alike. Claims are that SITRAP is engineered to navigate adverse environmental conditions. The UAS will attain certification for segregated airspace and civil operations, all achievable through a singular platform.

Enhanced capabilities and adaptability

The SITRAP specifications state that it can work under varied weather conditions, including an ice protection and high-temperature amplitude system enabling operations between -40⁰C to +50⁰C. SIRTAP's endurance of over 20 hours at an altitude of 21,000 feet renders it suitable for day/night ISR missions and maritime surveillance, beneficial for swift responses for close target inspection.

Moreover, the UAS's adaptable design facilitates ease of transportation via standard containers, both over land and air, enabling air transport using aircraft like the C295, capable of accommodating two SIRTAP units in a single flight.

Versatility in operations

The conceptualization of operations ensures enhanced versatility, encompassing advanced ISR, armed escort missions, maritime surveillance, electronic warfare functionalities like SIGINT, ELINT, COMINT, border surveillance for security control, search and rescue operations in remote areas, and monitoring illegal activities such as piracy, drug trafficking, and illegal fisheries detection. Additionally, Airbus claims SIRTAP can be employed as support for firefighting operations as well.