Airbus opens SIRTAP production line

A mock-up of the SIRTAP UAV at the site of the new production line at Getafe in Spain. The Spanish MoD is acquiring 27 air vehicles and two simulators to equip the country's army and air force, with deliveries from 2026. (Airbus)

Airbus has opened a new production line for the SIRTAP unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at its Getafe facility near Madrid, Spain.

The manufacturer announced the milestone on 18 November, saying that the line will initially build two prototype UAVs for the Spanish Ministry of Defence (MoD) following the successful completion of the critical design review (CDR) in June.

“The large components for the manufacture of the first prototype – mainly of Spanish origin, such as the fuselage and wings – have started to arrive in Getafe. Completion of the final assembly of the first prototype is scheduled in spring 2025,” Airbus said. “Once assembled, the ground test campaign will begin at Airbus in Getafe, giving way to the flight-test campaign, which is scheduled to start before the end of 2025 at the Test Center for Remotely Piloted Systems (CEUS) of the National Institute for Aerospace Technology (INTA) in Moguer, Huelva, southwest Spain.”

News of the new production line comes 12 months after the Spanish MoD contracted nine unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) comprising a total of 27 air vehicles and nine ground control stations for the Spanish Army and the Air and Space Force. With two simulators, the deal was valued at approximately EUR495 million (USD543 million at the time).