He High Performance Remotely Manned Systembetter known as sirtaphas successfully passed the Critical Design Review (CDR), a “technical milestone,” according to the conglomerate Airbuswhich not only sets the final architecture of the system, but also ensures that the degree of maturity of the drone design allows the start of manufacturing and is aligned with the requirements of the end customer.
Among the different areas that have been reviewed during this process, the most notable are, above all, the alignment between manufacturing capabilities and design principles; the maturity of the systems, subsystems and equipment; and the following validation and verification activities that will allow the system to be certified by the end of 2026.
This milestone has been signed by the Spanish Ministry of Defense, launching client of the program and future operator of the aerial platforms. In November 2023, the Ministry signed a contract with Airbus worth 500 million euros for the development and acquisition of drones sirtapwith the aim of strengthening the tactical capabilities of the Air and Space Force and of the Army of the Land.
This agreement includes a total of nine systems, each consisting of three unmanned aerial vehicles, a ground control station, initial logistical support and simulators for training the operators of the systems. Armed forces.
First flight in 2025
On the other hand, in the manufacture of the components of the first prototype of the High Performance Remotely Manned SystemThe participation of a significant number of Spanish suppliers, who are already working together with suppliers from other regions of the world, has also been vital. The first flight of the prototype is planned for 2025, with the first delivery in the first half of 2027.
Within this last group, the industrial conglomerate of engineering and technology stands out. Senerrecently chosen to develop the drone’s line-of-sight control data link systems. The contract awarded to the Spanish multinational includes the development, serial production and logistical support during the life cycle of this technology, thus ensuring the connection of the unmanned aircraft with the various ground links that will allow its operation.
It is also important to highlight the participation of Cluster Amperresponsible for the supply of the voice communication system or SCV of the futures Sirtap.
Another Spanish entity that will participate in the program sirtap is the Foundation for Research, Development and Application of Composite Materials (Fidamc)located in the technology park TecnoGetafe of Madrid. This technology center, created in 2006 thanks to an agreement between the Government of Spainthe Madrid’s community and EADS (the former name of Airbus Group) is a benchmark in innovation with composite materials, that is, those formed by the union of two or more different substances or elements.
The institution’s professionals will participate in the selection of materials, in their characterization and in different tests, as well as in the manufacture of wing and fuselage elements and in the training of personnel for the Colombian Aeronautical Industry Corporation (CIAC), responsible for the development of the aircraft’s tail stabilizer assembly.
