SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
At the Aero India 2025 exhibition, held from February 10-14 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bangalore, Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT) showcased a concept model of its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), named ‘Abhimanyu.’ This unveiling marks a significant milestone for NRT, a rising star in India’s aerospace and defense sector, as it advances its efforts to develop an indigenous unmanned aerial system designed to operate alongside manned fighter jets. In an exclusive conversation with idrw.org, NRT officials revealed ambitious plans to demonstrate a working demonstrator of the Abhimanyu by 2026 and complete the platform’s development by 2029, signaling a rapid timeline for this cutting-edge project.
The Abhimanyu CCA is envisioned as a “loyal wingman” for the Indian armed forces, designed to operate within a Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) framework. This innovative unmanned platform will collaborate with manned aircraft, such as the Indian Navy’s MiG-29K and future Rafale-M fighters, to enhance mission effectiveness, reduce risks to human pilots, and provide tactical flexibility. The Abhimanyu is being developed to fulfill multiple roles, including Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), kinetic attacks, electronic warfare (EW), and decoy operations.
The concept model displayed at Aero India 2025 featured a sleek, jet-powered design with swept wings, a single vertical tail, and narrow air intakes for its single engine, indicating a focus on low radar cross-section (RCS) and stealth characteristics. NRT’s design philosophy for the Abhimanyu emphasizes cost-effectiveness, intelligence, and expendability, making it a versatile and attritable asset for modern warfare scenarios.
The Abhimanyu has garnered significant attention from the Indian Navy, which selected NRT to develop the Naval Collaborative Combat Air Vehicle (N-CCAV) based on the Abhimanyu concept. This decision, formalized through a contract under the iDEX scheme, includes a minimum purchase quantity (MPQ) commitment from the Navy once the platform is ready. The N-CCAV variant of the Abhimanyu is tailored for carrier-based operations, designed to operate alongside the Navy’s MiG-29K and future Rafale-M fighters.
The Abhimanyu CCA is designed with a modular architecture, allowing it to adapt to various mission profiles. Key features highlighted by NRT include:
- Low Radar Cross-Section (RCS): The design incorporates stealth features such as a continuous chine-line and recessed engine intakes to reduce its detectability by enemy radar systems.
- Multi-Role Functionality: The Abhimanyu can perform ISR, kinetic strikes, electronic warfare, and decoy missions, making it a versatile asset for both offensive and defensive operations.
- Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T): The platform is engineered to seamlessly integrate with manned aircraft, sharing intelligence and executing coordinated missions to maximize operational effectiveness.
- Cost-Effectiveness and Expendability: By prioritizing affordability and attritability, NRT aims to deliver a platform that can be deployed in large numbers without the prohibitive costs associated with manned fighters.
- Performance Specifications: Placards displayed at Aero India 2025 indicated a top speed of approximately 300 knots (550 km/h), an operational range of 1,000 kilometers, and a service ceiling of 19,700 feet (6,000 meters), though these figures may evolve as development progresses.
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