Mastering extremes: The UAS trio that could tackle Latin America’s diverse needs

Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) designed by Airbus are unique in their ability to operate across a broad spectrum of missions. Whether for surveillance, search and rescue, law enforcement, firefighting, or the fight against criminal activities, these aircraft offer singular opportunities that match the specificities of a region as vast as Latin America. Airbus’ UAS offerings also focus on complementarity with crewed helicopters and how this combination of assets could help operators perform various missions essential to the safety and security of all in the region.

Airbus' UAS to secure and protect Latin America

On the occasion of FIDAE 2026 in Santiago de Chile, Airbus will showcase three of its UAS: the Flexrotor, the Aliaca, and the SIRTAP. This trio of drones combines exceptional efficiency with exclusive technological innovations. They perfectly illustrate the transversality and complementarity required for customers operating  across different environments and for a wide array of missions.

Latin America is a region known for its plurality, both demographically, with 670 million inhabitants spread across 33 countries, and geographically. Covering 20 million square kilometers, this part of the world experiences a wide disparity of environmental conditions. From the arid lands of Chile and Mexico to the humid Amazon rainforests and one of the world’s longest mountain ranges, Latin America is a rich… yet challenging region.

The Flexrotor: a new ally for firefighters in Latin America

The Flexrotor is a tactical vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAS. Its small footprint allows it to conduct intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. It can integrate various types of payloads, such as electro-optical systems and advanced sensors. Its autonomous take-off and landing capability in terrestrial or maritime environments makes it high-performing in diverse settings, whether in the vast expanses of the Pampas or in regions prone to wildfires across Chile, Argentina, and Brazil.

Many different marine forces across the globe are already utilising or testing the Flexrotor for Naval ISR to detect maritime surface and submarine threats. In the United States, firefighting operator Precision utilises the Flexrotor for continuous and nighttime fire surveillance, relying on the drone’s 12+ hours of autonomy. Thanks to its high-resolution sensors, it transmits live video feeds to identify active hotspots invisible to the naked eye. Able to carry a payload of up to 8 kg, it provides remarkable surveillance capabilities, including through high-end sensors for critical infrastructure surveillance or to monitor disaster areas during firefighting operations. Its exceptionally compact dimensions allow it to be delivered anywhere in the world quickly and assembled efficiently by various services.

Aliaca: the advanced ISR solution for comprehensive coastal security

Airbus drones are systems configured to meet a plurality of operating environments. The Aliaca is no exception. It is designed to undertake missions in a multitude of terrains, particularly coastal ones, making it ideal for states with double maritime facades like Colombia.

It possesses an operational agility highly valued for surveillance missions and was engineered to optimise intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance (ISR) tasks. Its hybrid propulsion version, with a 100 km range, allows for long-distance interventions, notably in mountainous or maritime areas. The Aliaca distinguishes itself by a rapid 15-minute deployment timeframe, ensuring immediate operational readiness for critical missions across maritime and land environments. In Latin America, the Aliaca is also an ideal technology for combating illegal offshore activities, such as drug trafficking, illegal fishing, and pollution, as well as for border surveillance.

SIRTAP: bringing protection to the next level

The SIRTAP is another uncrewed aerial system designed for numerous tactical missions in this region. The SIRTAP is the choice for conducting missions for defence, security and protection.   It would be able to support missions in the Gran Chaco region as well as on the Bolivian plateaus.

With an endurance of more than 20 hours, this high-end tactical drone integrates two simultaneous payloads, an electro-optical turret and a multi-mission radar. The SIRTAP is capable of a wide array of missions, ranging from convoy escort and area surveillance to force protection with guided weaponry, as well as border monitoring. This exceptional UAS is also a valuable tool for long-range search and rescue, a vital requirement in high-risk environments such as the Andes Mountains. It also supports firefighting efforts, an essential capability for a region particularly prone to wildfires thanks to the panoply of surveillance sensors.