Airbus has made a notable advancement in the production of the SIRTAP drone, a high-performance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) specifically designed for the Spanish Armed Forces. The company has announced that two prototypes of the SIRTAP have successfully entered the final assembly phase at its facility in Getafe, located near Madrid. This significant step paves the way for an extensive campaign of ground and flight testing set to commence next year.
In making the announcement, Airbus emphasized that the SIRTAP program enhances Spain’s national sovereignty across several critical domains, including technology, industry, and tactical capabilities. This comes on the heels of a substantial contract signed in 2023 between the Spanish Ministry of Defense and Airbus, worth 495 million euros (approximately $539 million). Under this agreement, the Spanish Armed Forces will acquire nine SIRTAP systems, each package comprising three UAVs and a ground control station.
The SIRTAP UAV is a sophisticated aerial system primarily focused on surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Its design incorporates a range of applications beyond these core functionalities. The drone is equipped to conduct remote search and rescue operations, monitor illicit activities such as piracy and drug trafficking, and assist in firefighting efforts. This versatility makes it a valuable asset for various mission scenarios.
Designed to endure critical and extreme weather conditions, the SIRTAP includes advanced features like ice protection systems and capabilities to operate efficiently in high-temperature settings. The UAV boasts impressive performance specifications, offering flight endurance exceeding 20 hours, a range of up to 2,000 kilometers (1,240 miles), and a maximum flight altitude of 6,400 meters (21,000 feet). Its payload capacity is equally substantial, able to carry over 150 kilograms (330 pounds), and it can integrate a variety of equipment, including an electro-optical turret and a multi-mission radar, simultaneously.
As the program progresses, the upcoming testing phases will be crucial in validating the SIRTAP’s capabilities and ensuring its readiness for deployment, marking a significant milestone in Spain’s military technology development and enhancing the operational capacity of its armed forces.
