SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
With the Indian Air Force (IAF) facing declining squadron levels, plans are underway to fast-track the development of the Loyal Wingman program, a critical force multiplier designed to enhance combat capabilities. The program is spearheaded by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in collaboration with private sector company NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT).
The IAF is placing significant emphasis on the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior, the unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) being developed under the Loyal Wingman initiative. A series of meetings between HAL, NRT, and the IAF have confirmed that substantial progress has already been made in the development of the CATS Warrior. The majority of the technology required for this project has been developed, and the design has been validated through rigorous testing, including the successful testing of a scale model that evaluated the platform’s basic design and flight characteristics.
The CATS Warrior will work as an unmanned force multiplier, capable of flying alongside manned fighter jets, such as the Tejas, which will serve as its mothership. This partnership will allow the Warrior to execute a variety of missions, from Combat Air Patrol (CAP) to strike operations over contested airspace, with minimal risk to human pilots.
With the Tejas acting as the mothership, the IAF is keen to procure between 200 to 250 units of the Loyal Wingman. These drones will enable the IAF to extend its operational reach, especially in high-risk missions where manned aircraft would face greater threats. The Loyal Wingman is expected to fly alongside Tejas fighters and enhance mission capabilities by acting as a force multiplier, either protecting manned aircraft or carrying out independent operations.
The IAF’s goal is to not only compensate for falling squadron levels but also to build a futuristic force structure that integrates manned and unmanned platforms in a seamless, coordinated fashion.
To cater to diverse mission requirements, HAL has proposed the development of two versions of the Loyal Wingman. The Warrior 1 will be optimized for air patrol and defence missions, while the larger Warrior 2 will be tailored for strike operations with enhanced payload capacity. This dual-platform approach gives the IAF flexibility to deploy the right UCAV depending on the mission requirements, whether it involves protecting assets in the air or carrying out offensive strikes deep in enemy territory.
The development of the Loyal Wingman is on track, with HAL expected to roll out the initial prototype of the CATS Warrior next year. This prototype will undergo extensive testing to refine its operational capabilities before entering mass production.
The Loyal Wingman program is part of the IAF’s broader strategy to enhance its aerial combat capabilities, especially in light of the challenges posed by declining squadron strength. By integrating unmanned systems like the CATS Warrior with manned platforms like the Tejas, the IAF aims to remain competitive in future conflicts, where unmanned systems will play an increasingly critical role.
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