Feasibility study on future Spanish intelligence aircraft

Airbus Defence and Space and Indra Group have been selected by the Spanish Ministry of Defence to carry out a conceptual definition study for the future Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft of the Spanish Air and Space Force.

This 18-month study will cover the analysis and definition of the most suitable platform and signals intelligence equipment to provide a national solution based on three aircraft to detect, track, classify, and identify targets of interest to the Spanish Armed Forces.

Airbus Defence and Space will draw up a proposal for an aircraft adapted to the Spanish customer's needs and, together with Indra, will study the integration of electronic intelligence and communications intelligence systems as a preliminary step to defining the development and implementation of the programme.

At a later stage, Airbus is expected to carry out the necessary modifications to the selected aircraft to implement and industrialise the signals intelligence system proposed by Indra. Airbus has extensive experience in converting commercial aircraft into military aircraft, such as the A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), which is converted at its facilities in Getafe. It also has extensive knowledge in the integration of sensors and mission systems in different aircraft configurations.