European aerospace company Airbus and Spanish shipbuilder Navantia have signed an agreement to explore the integration of uncrewed air vehicle (UAV) SIRTAP into the Spanish Navy’s flagship, Juan Carlos I.
As informed, the aim is to enable the interoperability of the SIRTAP with the rest of the systems of the carrier, such as the SCOMBA combat system.
According to Airbus, the integration activities will focus on several key pillars to ensure comprehensive operational readiness. The first pillar, command and control (C2), will concentrate on enhancing the communication and coordination capabilities between various systems.
Furthermore, the activities will include combat system integration and navigation support, which will encompass critical take-off and landing operations.
This joint effort seeks to achieve a fully integrated system, ensuring complete compatibility between SIRTAP and Juan Carlos I carrier. Additionally, the partners hope to achieve better mission capabilities, operational flexibility, and the overall effectiveness of both platforms in diverse operational scenarios.
“This agreement could set the path to offer the Spanish Navy with additional capabilities developed in Spain, strengthening the national industry in the benefit of its strategic sovereignty,” Airbus noted.
Landing helicopter dock (LHD) Juan Carlos I, the Spanish Navy’s biggest vessel,which can also serve as an aircraft carrier, was launched in March 2008 and delivered to the Spanish Navy in September 2010. It was built by Navantia at its Ferrol shipyard.
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