Airbus Defence and Space, along with Indra Group, has been chosen by the Spanish Ministry of Defence to conduct a study on the future Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) aircraft for the Spanish Air and Space Force. The project involves an 18-month conceptual definition study that will analyze and define both the appropriate platform and intelligence equipment needed to provide a national solution using three aircraft. These aircraft will be designed to detect, track, classify, and identify targets relevant to the Spanish Armed Forces.
According to Airbus Defence and Space, “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.”
The plan is for Airbus at a later stage to modify the selected aircraft in order to implement and industrialize the signals intelligence system proposed by Indra. The company brings significant experience in converting commercial planes into military platforms. For example, its Getafe facility is responsible for converting A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft. Airbus also has expertise in integrating sensors and mission systems into various aircraft configurations.
