SOURCE: AFI
In a pioneering leap for India’s aerospace and defense technology landscape, NewSpace Research and Technologies, in collaboration with Delhi-based startup Threye Games, has unveiled a first-of-its-kind demonstration of a fighter-unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) paired mission. Conducted on February 21, 2025, this cutting-edge showcase—rooted in NewSpace’s Air Combat Intelligence Development (ACID) thrust—highlighted advanced Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities through a System Integration Test Lab (SITL) demo. The event featured a Mirage 2000 (M-2000) Push-to-Talk (PTT) simulation integrated with actual fixed-wing swarming and sophisticated MUM-T algorithms, marking a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of autonomous air combat solutions.
The demonstration, widely discussed across posts on X, simulated a tactical scenario where a manned M-2000 fighter jet coordinated seamlessly with a trio of UAVs to execute a complex mission. From the cockpit of the M-2000, the pilot interfaced with a custom MUM-T tablet, selecting a designated “kill box”—a predefined target area—for the UAVs to engage. Three UAVs, equipped for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) as well as kamikaze missions, sprang into action, autonomously navigating toward the target with precision path planning and scouting capabilities.
The M-2000 cockpit view provided a front-row seat to this futuristic operation. The pilot, leveraging the MUM-T tablet, accessed real-time data on UAVs and aircraft status, mission modules, and mission type selections. The tablet served as the nerve center, displaying SITL-generated UAV payload imagery and geographic information system (GIS) field-of-view (FOV) data, enabling the pilot to monitor the UAVs’ progress over the target area. The UAVs autonomously identified targets within the kill box, relaying payload feeds and tactical recommendations back to the M-2000 for command decisions on attack execution.
A key feature of the demo was its emphasis on safety and strategic positioning. The M-2000 remained outside the range of surface-to-air missile (SAM) threats, relying on the UAVs’ swarming capabilities to penetrate contested zones. This synergy allowed the manned fighter to maintain a standoff role while the UAVs executed ISR sweeps and kamikaze strikes, demonstrating a force-multiplying effect critical for modern air warfare.
NewSpace’s ACID initiative, focused on developing air combat intelligence, provided the technological backbone for this demo. The integration of actual fixed-wing swarming—where multiple UAVs operated cohesively—showcased the maturity of MUM-T algorithms co-developed with Threye Games, a startup known for its expertise in simulation and gaming technology. The SITL environment bridged virtual and real-world testing, ensuring that the autonomous path planning, navigation, and target acquisition systems performed flawlessly under simulated combat conditions.
The UAVs’ ability to pick up targets and proceed with tactical actions highlighted the robustness of their autonomous systems. From scouting to strike execution, the mission unfolded with minimal pilot intervention, underscoring the potential for human-machine collaboration to redefine aerial engagements. The payload feed relayed to the M-2000 cockpit enabled real-time decision-making, with the pilot retaining ultimate authority over the attack—a balance of autonomy and oversight that aligns with global MUM-T trends.
This fighter-UCAV paired mission demo is more than a technological showcase; it’s a statement of intent. As nations worldwide invest in MUM-T to enhance air power, India’s private sector is stepping up to the challenge. NewSpace, headquartered in Mumbai, has been a trailblazer in UAV innovation, while Threye Games brings a fresh perspective with its simulation-driven approach. Together, they’ve demonstrated how indigenous solutions can address complex defense needs, from ISR to precision strikes, without relying on foreign platforms.
Posts on X praised the demo as a “game-changer,” with users noting its relevance in an era where unmanned systems are transforming warfare. The integration of the M-2000—a mainstay of the Indian Air Force—with swarming UAVs hints at future upgrades for India’s existing fleet, potentially extending the operational life of legacy aircraft through MUM-T retrofits. Moreover, the emphasis on keeping manned assets beyond SAM ranges reflects a strategic focus on survivability in contested environments—an increasingly vital consideration given regional security dynamics.AS
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