The Council of Ministers has granted approval to the Spanish Ministry of Defense to proceed with the acquisition of the cutting-edge tactical remotely manned aerial system (RPAS) known as SIRTAP. The contract for this advanced system will be awarded to Airbus Defense & Space, with an estimated value of 595,000,000 euros. The contract includes the delivery of 9 complete systems and 2 simulators, complete with instruction and training capabilities, in addition to initial logistical support. The primary objective of this acquisition is to replace the existing systems of similar type that have reached the end of their operational life. By doing so, it aims to significantly enhance the capabilities of both the Army and the Army of the Air and Space. The UAS is engineered to operate under the most challenging environmental and operational conditions, earning certification to fly in segregated airspace as well as pursue civil operations, all with the same platform.
SIRTAP, designed as a top-tier tactical UAS, boasts unparalleled performance capabilities. It is poised to revolutionize the high-end tactical UAS segment with its dual applications, catering to a wide range of missions tailored to the specific operational requirements of institutional and governmental customers. Thanks to its state-of-the-art ice protection and high-temperature amplitude system, SIRTAP can operate flawlessly under any weather conditions, with a temperature range spanning from -40?C to +50?C. With an impressive endurance of over 20 hours and the ability to fly at an altitude of 21,000 feet, this tactical UAS is well-suited for day/night and maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, enabling rapid response capabilities for close target inspection. One of the key advantages of SIRTAP is its adaptability for transportation. The wings and rotor can be easily dismounted, enabling transportation via standard containers both on land and by air, utilizing transport aircraft like the C295, which can accommodate two SIRTAP units in a single flight.
environments, thanks to an ice protection and high temperature amplitude systems. (Photo by Airbus)
SIRTAP’s concept of operations emphasizes enhanced versatility, offering a wide range of applications, including but not limited to:
Advanced ISR
Armed ISR: convoy escort, area surveillance, force protection
Maritime Surveillance
Electronic Warfare: SIGINT, ELINT, COMINT
Border Surveillance: migration flows and border security control
Search and Rescue: locating missing persons in remote areas
Monitoring illegal activities: piracy control, anti-drug trafficking, illegal fisheries detection
Firefighting support
The acquisition of SIRTAP represents a significant advancement in the defense capabilities of the nation, promising superior performance and strategic advantages in various critical operations.
