SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s premier aerospace organisation, is gearing up to showcase exciting advancements at Aero India 2025, which will be held in Bengaluru. Among the highlights will be the unveiling of progress on the ambitious Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior, a loyal wingman program backed by the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The CATS Warrior, which debuted nearly four years ago, has undergone significant design refinements based on inputs from the IAF and industrial partners. According to sources close to idrw.org, a scaled model of the platform has already been tested extensively, with further improvements made to its aerodynamics and capabilities.
HAL has developed a next-generation 4.2kN-class turbojet engine for the Warrior. This engine, an upscaled version of the PTAE-7, will power the platform in a twin-engine setup. The CATS Warrior boasts advanced AI-based software, enabling high levels of autonomy. This capability allows the platform to operate seamlessly alongside manned and unmanned systems, with or without human guidance. Many of the inflight parameters have been validated on the scaled model, paving the way for the development of the full-scale version.
HAL plans to equip the CATS Warrior with cutting-edge technologies to enhance its combat potential, including A small Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Fire Control Radar (FCR) will enable the Warrior to function as an unmanned combat aircraft. Armed with missiles like the Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM), the Warrior will be capable of engaging manned and unmanned targets.
With a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of approximately 1.1 tons, the Warrior will also serve as a stepping stone for a larger platform in development. HAL envisions this larger unmanned platform, nearly three times the size of the Warrior, as a mini strike aircraft capable of strategic operations.
HAL is targeting the first flight of the CATS Warrior in late 2025, signaling a major leap forward for India’s unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) capabilities. The IAF has thrown its weight behind the project, especially in light of lessons learned from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Propeller-driven UCAVs have proven vulnerable to man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) and anti-aircraft guns, underscoring the necessity for jet-powered UCAVs with advanced autonomous functions.
The CATS Warrior represents a bold step in India’s quest for a modern, autonomous, and combat-capable unmanned aerial fleet. HAL’s efforts to integrate advanced technologies, coupled with the IAF’s strong backing, underscore the importance of the loyal wingman concept in future air combat scenarios.
As HAL prepares to unveil the full-scale Warrior at Aero India 2025, the platform promises to be a key element in India’s defense strategy, offering cutting-edge capabilities to operate in high-threat environments while complementing manned aircraft. This milestone is a testament to India’s growing prowess in indigenous defense technology development.
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