Getafe, 29 November 2023 – Airbus has formalized a contract with the Spanish Ministry of Defence for the development and procurement of the SIRTAP, a High Performance Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) set to enhance the operational capabilities of both the Spanish Army and the Air and Space Force.
The contract encompasses a total of nine systems, comprising three unmanned aerial vehicles and one ground control station for each system. In addition, two simulators will be provided to facilitate the training of the Spanish Armed Forces.
Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Military Air Systems at Airbus Defence and Space, remarked, “This new technological milestone in the tactical UAS domain, in collaboration with the Spanish Ministry of Defence, will bolster our national sovereignty. The SIRTAP is designed to be fully developed in Spain, integrating domestic capabilities. Its versatility and the use of ITAR-free components are expected to position it as a key player in the international market as well.”
The SIRTAP UAS is engineered with a payload capacity exceeding 150 kg, making it ideal for advanced surveillance, intelligence, and reconnaissance missions across both terrestrial and maritime domains. With a range surpassing 2,000 km and an endurance of over 20 hours, it offers significant operational flexibility and responsiveness, enabling continuous operations in various challenging environments during both day and night. Certification will allow the system to operate in segregated airspace.
Looking ahead, the SIRTAP tactical UAS is anticipated to function in conjunction with other platforms as part of an integrated system of systems. The development process is expected to impart critical experience and capabilities to the national industry in the area of Remote Carriers for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS).
The inaugural flight of the SIRTAP prototype is slated for 2025.
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Source: Airbus Defence and Space (2023-11-29)
