FEINDEF 2025: Airbus unveils full-size mock-up of its SIRTAP UAV

Airbus publicly displayed a full-size mock-up of its SIRTAP unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for the first time at the FEINDEF 2025 defence exhibition, held in Madrid from 12 to 14 May.

The company signed a contract with the Spanish Ministry of Defence in November 2023 for the development and acquisition of SIRTAP, which is described as a high-performance tactical unmanned aerial system (UAS) that will reinforce the tactical capabilities of the Spanish Army and the Spanish Air and Space Force.

The contract covers nine UASs, which each comprise three UAVs and one ground control station, as well as two simulators. Although the initial SIRTAP contract does not cover the UAVs being integrated with weapons, Fernando Ciria, head of marketing for airborne ISR and tactical airlifters at Airbus Defence and Space, told ESD at FEINDEF 2025 that the SIRTAP UAVs are fitted out to accommodate them. The SIRTAP UAV mock-up at the show, in fact, was fitted with a pair of BAT semi-active laser-guided glide munitions produced by AERTEC.

Ciria said Airbus is currently building the first two SIRTAP UAVs at its facilities in Madrid and that the first flight of one of them is expected before the end of 2025.

The SIRTAP UAV has a maximum take-off weight of 800 kg, a payload capacity of 200 kg and an endurance of more than 20 hours. It is being designed to operation in all weather conditions through the use of an ice protection and high temperature amplitude system, enabling it to operate between -40⁰C and +50⁰C, and will have a maximum operating altitude of more than 21,000 ft (6,400 m).

The UAV’s initial payload options are expected focus on intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities through the carriage of systems such as electro-optical/infra-red sensors, a laser designator, a synthetic aperture radar with ground moving-target indicator capability, a maritime patrol radar, an Automatic Identification System for identifying ships, and electronic warfare payloads such as electronic intelligence and communications intelligence systems.

The initial study phase for SIRTAP was launched in 2015. Colombia then expressed an interest in joining the programme in 2017 and a memorandum of understanding was signed between both countries’ defence ministries in February 2019, with Colombia expected to acquire six UASs (including 18 UAVs). However, Colombian co-development of SIRTAP subsequently fizzled out, although Ciria confirmed that the country could still be a customer for the system.