ASIM, nov 18
The SIRTAP program has reached a major milestone, progressing toward the production of its first prototype. The final assembly line for this high-performance tactical drone, acquired by Spain’s Ministry of Defense, is now operational at Airbus’s facilities in Getafe (Madrid), where the two prototypes will be manufactured. Key components for the first prototype, such as the fuselage and wings, are arriving primarily from domestic sources. The final assembly of the first prototype is expected to be completed by the spring of 2025. Once assembled, it will undergo ground testing in Getafe, followed by flight tests, scheduled to begin before the end of 2025 at the CEUS testing center in Moguer, Huelva.
The SIRTAP system will enhance the tactical capabilities of the Spanish Armed Forces, which will operate a total of nine systems, each consisting of three unmanned aerial vehicles and a ground control station. Additionally, Airbus Defence and Space will supply two simulators for training Spanish operators. The design and development of this remotely piloted vehicle will grant Spain national sovereignty in the technological, industrial, and tactical domains. SIRTAP’s versatility will enable a wide range of missions, including search and rescue, maritime surveillance, disaster relief, wildfire management, damage assessment, and border patrol to combat illegal activities such as drug trafficking and illegal fishing.
