SIRTAP: Europe’s New Mid-Level Tactical Drone Set to Fly in 2026

Airbus Defence & Space’s new SIRTAP tactical drone has completed prototype assembly and ground testing and is now scheduled for a full flight test campaign in Spain during 2026. Designed for day/night, all-weather ISR, and future weaponization, SIRTAP fills a gap between lightweight drones and MALE (medium-altitude long-endurance) systems. Spain, the launch customer with a 27-UAV order, aims for first delivery in 2027, building a European sovereign capability in unmanned systems.

1. From Concept to Prototype

Originally developed with Spain’s CIAC, SIRTAP stands for Sistema Remotamente Tripulado de Altas Prestaciones—a high-performance tactical UAS. Initiated around 2017 as a successor to platforms like Hermes 450 and supportive of both Spanish and Colombian forces, the program matured steadily.

In mid-2025, Airbus completed assembly of the first prototype (Getafe facility) and began structural, component, and software testing. The drone is now certified for all-weather operations and is painted in mission-ready livery. Next stop: CEUS Huelva for ground and airborne trials.

2. Technical Snapshot

• Endurance & Altitude: 20+ hours, ceiling above 21,000 ft; suitable for ISR over maritime and land theaters.

• Environmental Range: Operational between –40 °C and +50 °C with ice-protection system.

• Payload Capacity: Over 150 kg, dual-payload architecture enabling EO/IR turret plus SAR or other sensors.

• Design Specs: Approx. 7.3 m length, 12 m wingspan, 750 kg MTOW, runway requirement ~800 m—even non-paved.

• Navigation: Uses Exail’s UmiX‑40 solid-state IMU, enabling precision in GNSS-denied zones via FOG and vibrating beam tech.

• Industrial Edge: Emerging as an ITAR-free solution, enhancing export potential.

3. Flight Timeline & Spain’s Flagship Procurement

• Ground testing: mid-2025 at Getafe near Madrid.

• First flight: expected end of 2025 at INTA’s CEUS in Huelva.

• Flight campaign: through 2026 for certification.

• Delivery: First systems in early-to-mid 2027 to the Spanish Armed Forces.

Spain has procured 27 UAS (nine systems) plus nine GCS and two simulators in the November 2023 order. System simulators are already through Critical Design Review.

4. How SIRTAP Stands Out

Capabilities: Compared with Turkish Bayraktar TB2 and Israeli Hermes 450, SIRTAP offers extended endurance, environmental resilience, and full NATO interoperabilityю

Industrial sovereignty: Designed and built in Spain, the project strengthens European defense autonomy and could spur export demand across NATO and beyond.

Naval application: Airbus is exploring integration of SIRTAP with the Spanish Navy’s Juan Carlos I amphibious carriers, enabling deck-launched maritime ISR.

5. Operational & Strategic Implications

• Fills a capability gap between tactical Loitering drones and large MALE systems.

• Promotes industrial sovereignty for European unmanned air systems, reducing dependency on non-European platforms.

• Opens doors for weaponization, adding close air support or SEAD capability to strategic autonomy.

• Naval integration enhances maritime domain awareness without reliance on U.S. or Turkish designs.

6. Challenges Ahead

1. Certification risk: The ambitious timeline hinges on successful airworthiness testing through 2026.

2. GCS and ecosystem: Ensuring training, maintenance, and command infrastructure scales with deployment.

3. Competitive market: Established drones (TB2, Hermes) still hold cost and operational familiarity advantages.

4. Export appeal: Success hinges on building NATO trust and highlighting ITAR-free interoperability.