SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has proposed the CATS Hunter Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM), a stealthy, low-skimming sub-sonic missile designed for both manned and unmanned platforms, as part of India’s push for advanced aerial weaponry. However, despite its innovative design, the Hunter ALCM, powered by the PTAE-7 turbojet engine, remains stalled, awaiting clearance from the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The IAF’s reluctance stems from a strategic pivot toward low-cost supersonic ALCMs, driven by the underwhelming performance of sub-sonic cruise missiles in the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Meanwhile, competing projects like the Aeronautical Development Establishment’s (ADE) Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) and BrahMos Aerospace’s supersonic BrahMos-MA (NG), alongside JSR Dynamics’ jet-powered Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB), are shaping a crowded field of air-launched weaponry. This article explores the Hunter’s potential, the IAF’s shifting priorities, and the implications for India’s aerial strike capabilities.
The CATS (Combat Air Teaming System) Hunter, developed under HAL’s futuristic unmanned warfare program, is a sub-sonic ALCM designed to deliver precision strikes with a low radar cross-section. Powered by the PTAE-7 turbojet engine, which generates 4.2 kN of thrust, the Hunter was initially proposed with a range of 200 km and a 250 kg warhead [Web ID: 0]. Its low-skimming flight profile—flying just above the surface—enhances its stealth, making it difficult for enemy radar to detect. HAL also explored a reusable configuration, allowing the missile to deploy its payload and return via parachute, though recent updates suggest this feature may be abandoned to prioritize extended range [Web ID: 0].
The Hunter’s ability to be launched from both manned fighters, like the Su-30MKI, and unmanned platforms, such as HAL’s CATS Warrior drone, positions it as a versatile asset for the IAF. Its design aligns with modern warfare trends, where unmanned systems increasingly complement manned aircraft, as seen in the IAF’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) vision. However, the Hunter’s sub-sonic speed has become a point of contention, as battlefield lessons from Ukraine highlight the vulnerabilities of slower missiles against advanced air defence systems.
The IAF’s hesitation to greenlight the Hunter stems from its strategic reassessment of sub-sonic cruise missiles, driven by their poor performance in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Sub-sonic missiles, like the U.S. Tomahawk or Russia’s Kalibr, have struggled against modern air defences, such as the S-400 and Pantsir systems, which can track and intercept slow-moving targets with high accuracy. A notable example is Ukraine’s interception of Russian sub-sonic Kh-101 missiles, with a reported 60-70% success rate using Western-supplied systems like the Patriot PAC-3. This has led the IAF to prioritize faster, harder-to-intercept supersonic ALCMs, which offer better survivability and time-critical strike capabilities.
The IAF’s preference for supersonic systems is evident in its existing arsenal, particularly the BrahMos-A, a Mach 2.8-3.0 missile with a 450 km range, currently being upgraded to 800 km . The BrahMos-A, integrated on 40 Su-30MKIs with plans for 20 more, has proven its lethality in tests, striking sea-based targets with pinpoint accuracy . The IAF seeks a cost-effective supersonic ALCM to complement the BrahMos, as the latter’s high cost—around $3-4 million per unit—limits its scalability for mass deployment.
The Hunter faces stiff competition from other indigenous programs, each vying to meet the IAF’s evolving needs
- ADE’s ITCM: The Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile, developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment, is a sub-sonic ALCM with a projected range exceeding 800 km [Web ID: 0]. Designed to be lightweight, the ITCM can be carried by all IAF manned fighters, including the Tejas, MiG-29, and Rafale. Powered by the DRDO-developed Manik Small Turbo Fan Engine (STFE), the ITCM offers a cost-effective solution for long-range strikes [Web ID: 23]. However, its sub-sonic speed—around Mach 0.7—makes it vulnerable to the same air defence systems that have downed similar missiles in Ukraine, potentially limiting its appeal to the IAF.
- BrahMos-MA (NG): BrahMos Aerospace is developing the BrahMos Next Generation (NG), a Mach 3.5 supersonic ALCM with a 290-300 km range . Lighter and smaller than the BrahMos-A, the NG variant is designed for broader compatibility with IAF fighters, including the Tejas and Rafale, unlike the BrahMos-A, which is limited to modified Su-30MKIs . The NG retains the BrahMos’s hallmark precision and kinetic energy, making it nearly uninterceptable by current air defence systems, as demonstrated by the Onyx missile’s success in Ukraine . However, its cost and development timeline—expected induction post-2026—may delay its deployment.
- JSR Dynamics’ Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB): JSR Dynamics, a private sector firm, has proposed an advanced version of its LRGB, fitted with a jet engine and optimized control laws to enhance lift-to-drag (L/D) and thrust-to-weight (T/W) ratios. This jet-powered bomb achieves a range of 290 km, balancing cost and performance . While not a traditional cruise missile, the LRGB offers a low-cost alternative for stand-off strikes, appealing to the IAF’s need for affordable precision weapons. Its glide bomb origins, however, limit its versatility compared to true ALCMs like the Hunter or BrahMos-NG.
However, the Hunter’s stealth and low-skimming profile could still offer tactical advantages in specific scenarios, such as penetrating less sophisticated air defences or striking in contested environments where unmanned platforms reduce risk to pilots. Its potential integration with unmanned systems like the CATS Warrior aligns with global trends, such as the U.S. Air Force’s use of Collaborative Combat Aircraft, enhancing flexibility in high-threat missions.
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