Designed for all-weather surveillance

Dual payloads

Developed as a high-end tactical UAS, U850 Sirtap will provide unrivalled performance superiority for surveillance thanks to its ability to simultaneously integrate two payloads, such as an electro-optical turret and a multi-mission radar.  

U850 Sirtap will provide this leap in performance in the high-end tactical UAS segment. Its defence and security applications will offer a wide range of missions tailored to the operational needs of customers in both the institutional and governmental markets. Designed to fly in the harshest environmental and operational conditions, the UAS will be certified by the Spanish Military Airworthiness Authorities to fly in segregated airspace.

U850 Sirtap will be able to operate in all weather conditions, thanks to an ice protection and high temperature amplitude system, enabling it to operate between -40⁰C and +50⁰C. With an endurance of more than 20 hours and an altitude of more than 20,000 feet, the tactical UAS is suitable for day/night and maritime Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, providing rapid response for close target inspection.

U850 Sirtap

0:00:41

SIRTAP

SIRTAP Generic Armed FFLMM missiles

SIRTAP Generic Armed FFLMM missiles

SIRTAP Generic Armed FFLMM missiles cropped for website

Versatility to carry out a variety of missions

Key operations:

  • Advanced ISR
  • Armed ISR: convoy escort, area surveillance, force protection with guided weapons on 4 under wing stations
  • Maritime surveillance
  • Electronic warfare SIGINT (ELINT, COMINT)
  • Border surveillance for migration and security control
  • Remote SAR
  • Surveillance of illegal activities (piracy, drug trafficking, illegal fishing)
    Firefighting support
Browse U850 Sirtap assets

Latest UAS news

In the spotlight

Discover more

Frequently asked questions

U850 Sirtap

What exactly is U850 SIRTAP?

U850 SIRTAP (Sistema Aéreo Remotamente Tripulado Táctico de Altas Prestaciones — High-Performance Tactical Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) is an Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) developed by Airbus Defence and Space. It bridges the operational gap between short-range tactical drones and heavy Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) platforms such as the Eurodrone and Reaper. As a versatile, dual-use platform for military intelligence and government tasks, U850 SIRTAP provides high-resolution intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities for military defence, border security, maritime surveillance, disaster response and environmental protection missions.
 

Is U850 SIRTAP a sovereign European aerospace project and truly ‘Made in Spain’?

Yes. U850 SIRTAP is a flagship sovereign programme designed and manufactured at the Airbus Defence and Space industrial hub in Getafe, Spain. Airbus maintains complete industrial leadership, final assembly and system integration in Spain. The programme secures critical European engineering skills and provides foundational technological experience for future collaborative air power initiatives, such as UAS within the Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

What are the key performance specifications and capabilities of U850 SIRTAP?

U850 SIRTAP is engineered to perform extended day-and-night missions under demanding operational conditions:

  • Maximum endurance: Greater than 20 hours of continuous flight.
  • Operational ceiling: Service ceiling exceeding 21,000 feet (6,400 m).
  • Payload capacity: More than 150 kg (up to 180 kg depending on configuration) for multi-mission electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR) sensors and radar.
  • Mission range: Over 2,000 km utilising Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) satellite connectivity
  • Maximum Take-off Weight (MTOW): 700 k 

Can U850 SIRTAP be equipped with weapons systems?

The core configuration ordered by the Spanish Ministry of Defence is optimised for unarmed Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions over land and sea. However, the airframe is engineered with modular "growth capability".

Designed with four underwing hardpoints and adaptable structural architecture, U850 SIRTAP can be upgraded to an Armed ISR configuration capable of integrating laser-guided precision munitions or lightweight air-to-ground missiles if required by customer mission parameters.

Why is U850 SIRTAP's ITAR-free design a major strategic advantage?

U850 SIRTAP features a completely ITAR-free architecture, meaning it contains no restricted components subject to the United States International Traffic in Arms Regulations. This status gives operating nations full sovereign autonomy over platform deployment and maintenance. Furthermore, it streamlines international export approval processes, allowing Airbus to offer U850 SIRTAP to global allied partners without requiring third-country export authorisations.

Can U850 SIRTAP operate in extreme weather and austere environments?

Yes. Unlike standard tactical drones restricted by severe weather, U850 SIRTAP is built for true all-weather operational availability. U850 SIRTAP features an active ice-protection system and is certified to operate in extreme temperature ranges from -40 °C to +50 °C. Equipped with ruggedized landing gear, it can perform Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) routines on semi-prepared or dirt runways as short as 800 metres, making it ideal for remote or expeditionary deployment.

What is the current status of the U850 SIRTAP manufacturing and testing schedule?

In November 2023, the Spanish Ministry of Defence contracted Airbus for nine U850 SIRTAP systems. The contract comprises 27 aircraft, nine ground control stations and two advanced flight simulators for operator training.
The assembly of the first U850 SIRTAP prototype concluded at the Getafe facility, paving the way for ground evaluations and the maiden flight campaign at Spain's National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) Uncrewed Systems Test Centre (CEUS). First system deliveries to the Spanish Army and Spanish Air and Space Force are scheduled for 2028.