SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is closely monitoring the development of the Abhimanyu Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), a cutting-edge jet-powered drone designed by Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research and Technologies in partnership with the Indian Navy. Unveiled at Aero India 2025, Abhimanyu represents India’s first privately developed, jet-powered unmanned aerial system (UAS), poised to redefine tactical air warfare through its advanced capabilities and manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) framework. This innovative platform, tailored for high-speed, long-range combat roles, is sparking significant interest across India’s defense ecosystem, with the IAF exploring its potential to complement its own combat air teaming initiatives.
Abhimanyu is not just another drone; it is a modular, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)-powered combat aircraft designed to operate as a “loyal wingman” alongside manned fighter jets. With a compact 4-meter wingspan and a low radar cross-section (RCS) design, it incorporates features like recessed engine intakes and a continuous chine-line to minimize radar detection, making it ideal for high-risk missions. The drone’s specifications include a top speed of approximately 300 knots (550 km/h), a range of 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), and a service ceiling of 20,000 feet, positioning it as a versatile asset for both naval and potential air force applications.
Its modular architecture allows rapid reconfiguration for diverse mission profiles, while AI/ML-driven autonomy enables it to execute complex tasks with minimal human intervention, including automatic target recognition and evasive maneuvers. This adaptability, combined with its expendable design, aligns with the global trend toward attritable warfare, where cost-effective, scalable systems reduce the financial and operational impact of losses compared to manned aircraft.
A cornerstone of Abhimanyu’s design is its integration into a Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) framework, enabling seamless collaboration with manned aircraft like the Indian Navy’s MiG-29Ks and future Rafale-Ms, as well as potential IAF platforms such as the Tejas or Su-30 MKI. Through mesh networking and edge computing, Abhimanyu drones can operate as part of a “battlefield kill-mesh,” a distributed combat network that shares real-time data to overwhelm adversaries. This networked approach enhances situational awareness, extends sensor reach, and provides tactical flexibility, making it a force multiplier for carrier strike groups and potentially land-based operations.
For the Indian Navy, Abhimanyu drones are designed to operate from aircraft carriers like INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, supporting missions in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) where tensions with regional powers like China are escalating. The IAF, observing the Navy’s progress, sees potential in deploying Abhimanyu variants for operations ashore, addressing range limitations and enhancing its own combat capabilities in high-risk scenarios. This dual-use potential could bridge operational gaps, particularly as the IAF awaits the development of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) CATS Warrior, a twin-engine CCA designed for its own needs.
The IAF’s keen interest in Abhimanyu stems from its alignment with global trends in collaborative combat aviation, where unmanned systems augment manned fleets to maintain a strategic edge. Unlike Pakistan’s air force, which relies on less advanced drones like the Burraq and Shahpar-II for ISR and limited strike roles, Abhimanyu’s MUM-T capabilities and carrier compatibility give India a significant advantage in the region. The IAF, which has yet to fully commit to HAL’s CATS Warrior, may see Abhimanyu as a complementary option due to its compact design, cost-effectiveness, and rapid development timeline.
NOTE: Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.