Spain’s first SIRTAP unmanned aerial system prototype, designed and manufactured by Airbus in their Spanish facility, is now complete and slated to begin ground testing with the first delivery expected by 2027. Ground testing would involve “structural evaluations, main systems components and software testing.”
This precedes the ground and flight tests at the National Institute of Aerospace Technology’s (INTA) Unmanned Systems Test Centre (CEUS) in Huelva, southwestern Spain. Airbus added in an X post that the aircraft and ground control station prototypes would be shipped to support the ground trials. The subsequent flight trials are essential to secure an airworthiness type certification to ensure that the aircraft meets the highest safety and performance standards, leading to the delivery of the first system to Spain in 2027.
In November 2023, the Spanish Ministry of Defence acquired nine systems, each consisting of three remotely piloted aircraft and a ground-control station. A total of twenty-seven drones and nine ground-control stations will reinforce the tactical capabilities of the Spanish Armed Forces. In addition, Airbus Defence and Space will supply two simulators for training Spanish operators, having already passed the Critical Design Review, which marks the completion of their architecture and design.
Neither Airbus, Navantia, nor the Spanish government have shed light on the type of launch or recovery method for the Airbus SIRTAP on the Juan Carlos I, nor a timeline for the integration programme.
However, Spain is not the only country exploring operating UAVs from carriers. Turkey pioneered the practice with its TCG Anadolu carrier. GA-ASI’s Grey Eagle STOL drone has similarly been tested by the Republic of Korea Navy, on their amphibious assault ship Dokdo in November 2024, and the Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales tested the Mojave demonstrator in 2023.
SIRTAP drone
The UAV is primarily an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance platform that can fly in all-weather conditions and harsh environments, with an endurance of more than 20 hours and an operational altitude of over 20,000 feet. It will be certified by the Spanish military airworthiness authorities to fly in segregated airspace.
Its two primary payloads are an EO/IR (Electro-Optical/Infrared) turret under the chin and a multi-mission maritime surveillance radar. These payloads allow SIRTAP to conduct maritime force protection roles with guided weapons on the four underwing hardpoints, extending the surveillance reach of the fleet while complementing other manned platforms.
Other capabilities include electronic warfare systems like SIGINT, ELINT and COMINT (Signals/Electronic/Communications Intelligence) sensors.
