Airbus SIRTAP

The Airbus SIRTAP, developed by Airbus Defence and Space, emerged in the early 2020s as a dedicated high‑altitude, long‑range reconnaissance platform. Conceived to bridge the gap between traditional surveillance drones and manned tactical aircraft, the SIRTAP’s first flight took place in March 2023 from the company’s Toulouse test centre. Drawing on Airbus’s extensive heritage in both commercial and military aviation, the program was funded jointly by several European defence ministries seeking a versatile system for border monitoring, maritime patrol and disaster‑response imaging.

Key features include a blended‑wing body that reduces drag and provides a spacious internal payload bay, allowing up to 2 tonnes of sensor equipment. Powered by two fuel‑efficient turbofan engines, the SIRTAP can cruise at 30 000 feet for more than 18 hours, while its advanced fly‑by‑wire avionics enable autonomous operation and rapid re‑tasking via satellite link. Modular sensor suites—electro‑optical, synthetic‑aperture radar and signals‑intelligence packages—can be swapped in under two hours.

The SIRTAP’s significance lies in its demonstration of a cost‑effective, multi‑role platform that integrates civilian aerospace technology with military surveillance needs. It has set a new benchmark for endurance and flexibility, influencing subsequent designs within Airbus Defence and Space and reinforcing Europe’s strategic autonomy in aerial intelligence gathering.