SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Hyderabad-based VEM Technologies turned heads at Aero India 2025, held at Air Force Station Yelahanka in Bengaluru from February 10–14, with the debut of its Chaser loitering munition. Designed for Intelligence, Surveillance, Tracking, Attack, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions, the Chaser combines advanced sensors, precision strike capabilities, and enhanced maneuverability into a single platform. Showcased as a versatile solution for modern warfare, this indigenous system reflects VEM’s growing stature in India’s defense ecosystem and its alignment with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative.
The Chaser, displayed in a sleek canister launcher setup, promises to survey, detect, recognize, acquire, and strike a wide range of high-value targets—static or mobile—with minimal collateral damage. With export inquiries already trickling in, VEM Technologies is positioning the Chaser as a global contender in the rapidly expanding loitering munition market.
The Chaser is engineered to loiter over a target area, gather real-time intelligence, and strike immediately upon target confirmation. Its Electro-Optical (EO) seeker, integrating Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) and Charge-Coupled Device (CCD) technologies, provides hemispherical coverage, enabling it to detect and engage targets from any angle—horizontal to vertical. This flexibility, paired with enhanced maneuverability, allows the Chaser to adapt to complex battlefield dynamics, from urban environments to open terrain.
A standout feature is its man-in-the-loop attack capability, which ensures human oversight to minimize collateral damage—a critical advantage in operations near civilian zones. Operators can also abort an attack mid-flight, redirecting the munition if conditions change, enhancing its ethical and tactical utility. Powered by a 27 kW (37 HP) Wankel engine and assisted by a rocket booster, the Chaser blends endurance with rapid deployment, launched seamlessly from a canister system.
Weighing in at a Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) of 150 kilograms, the Chaser carries a 25-kilogram warhead, optimized for high-value targets like command posts, radar installations, or armored vehicles. Its payload supports a suite of sensors, including Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), enabling Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) and Line of Sight (LOS) operations. The data link ensures robust communication, with a range of 200 kilometers, keeping operators connected even in contested environments.
Performance-wise, the Chaser achieves a maximum speed of 270 km/h and a loiter speed of 195–220 km/h, balancing rapid transit with prolonged surveillance. Its range of 1,000 kilometers and endurance of 6 hours make it ideal for extended missions, while a service ceiling of 16,000 feet allows it to operate above small-arms fire and low-altitude threats. Though exact length and wingspan details weren’t specified at the event, its compact design fits the canister launcher, suggesting a streamlined airframe tailored for portability and stealth.
The Chaser’s ability to strike both static and mobile targets sets it apart in the loitering munition category. Whether neutralizing a stationary bunker or tracking a moving convoy, its detection, recognition, acquisition, and attack sequence is seamless, driven by AI-enhanced sensors. The EO/IR suite excels in day-night conditions, while SAR provides all-weather capability, ensuring reliability against low-visibility or camouflaged targets.
The system’s attack-from-any-angle feature—enabled by its hemispherical seeker coverage—offers a tactical edge, allowing top-down or lateral strikes based on target vulnerabilities. This adaptability, combined with the abort option, positions the Chaser as a precision weapon with built-in safeguards, appealing to militaries prioritizing accuracy and accountability.
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