HAL Explores Repurposing Retired Kiran MkII and MiG-27 as Optionally Manned Combat Aircraft for CATS Warrior Role

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is preparing to unveil a significant advancement in military aviation technology at the forthcoming Aero India exhibition in 2027.

The focus is on the Combat Air Teaming System – Optionally Manned Combat Aircraft (CATS OMCA), a system designed to potentially transform retired military aircraft into modern, adaptable platforms, optionally piloted aircraft (OPA).

The demonstration model will be based on the Kiran Mk2 trainer aircraft. This initiative suggests a wider Indian Air Force (IAF) strategy of modernizing its capabilities by repurposing existing assets.

The core concept of CATS OMCA is to assess its viability for integration with current aircraft. A key proposal under consideration involves the Kiran MkII trainer aircraft, which are scheduled for retirement by 2029.

Furthermore, a forward-looking plan aims to apply this technology to stored MiG-27 aircraft. These MiG-27s, while retired from active service, have been maintained in reserve in recent years.

The potential applications of the OMCA technology extend beyond the Kiran MkII and MiG-27. Sources indicate that the IAF and HAL are jointly investigating the integration of OMCA into other aircraft approaching retirement, such as the Jaguar Darin II fleet, which is expected to be phased out starting in 2030. The Jaguar, like the MiG-27, is a ground-attack aircraft, suggesting the IAF sees a continuing need for this type of capability.

Aircraft equipped with the OMCA system could be deployed in a variety of roles. In offensive strike missions, they could operate as either unmanned or manned platforms, carrying out attacks in high-risk environments where the presence of a human pilot would be undesirable.

They could also function as decoys, simulating the radar and electronic signatures of more valuable combat aircraft. This would draw out enemy air defenses, revealing their locations or causing them to expend valuable munitions.

Finally, these optionally piloted aircraft could serve in protective roles. Within strike packages, OPAs could bolster manned aircraft by offering supplementary cover, performing reconnaissance, or directly engaging threats. This would enhance both the survivability and overall effectiveness of the mission.

The CATS program, of which OMCA is a part, is designed to create a "system of systems" that integrates manned and unmanned platforms, maximizing combat power. This concept is broadly in line with similar developments in other advanced air forces around the world, such as the US Air Force's Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, which also envisions a mix of manned and unmanned systems working together.

 

[R. Singh]

We should upgrade Mig-27 and power it with AL-31 engine,Uttam AESA Radar and modern Avionics !

 

[Anant]

Upcoming Aero India, eh? The next one is in 2027, and despite a bunch of publicity and promises they would show the aircraft at this year's Aero India, they didn't. Then again, it is HAL, a company which talks more than it performs, so one shouldn't be surprised.

And this is the same company that dreams of manufacturing 20 jets a year and playing a role in the absurdly ambitious plan to getting the IAF to 1,000 fighters in the next 22 years.

 

[Kira]

Upcoming Aero India, eh? The next one is in 2027, and despite a bunch of publicity and promises they would show the aircraft at this year's Aero India, they didn't. Then again, it is HAL, a company which talks more than it performs, so one shouldn't be surprised.

And this is the same company that dreams of manufacturing 20 jets a year and playing a role in the absurdly ambitious plan to getting the IAF to 1,000 fighters in the next 22 years.

I believe this concept itself is a little fishy, as many countries over the past decades have been mulling over the same idea, only to abandon it the moment it becomes clear that these older aircraft become even harder and harder to maintain and operate once they are retired, due to scarcity of spare parts, etc.
Sounds very logical on paper, but it's not logistically prudent.

 

[Bhishma]

This is great. Will be very useful to master and fine tune the remote piloting. We also need to hire top AI scientists to make it fully autonomous. Use these old fighters as test bed to develop and master the remote/autonomous AI tech. Once mastered, we need a scaled down cheaper version of Tejas, powered by Kaveri. Fully unmanned & AI piloted. That will be killer.

 

[Bhishma]

I believe this concept itself is a little fishy, as many countries over the past decades have been mulling over the same idea, only to abandon it the moment it becomes clear that these older aircraft become even harder and harder to maintain and operate once they are retired, due to scarcity of spare parts, etc.
Sounds very logical on paper, but it's not logistically prudent.

We already have very old junk still flying in the inventory. Option is either this or master the remote piloting tech by fitting into an expensive Su30 or Tejas. Old retired fighters are a better fit, because they are bound to crash during dev phase. Better to lose an expendable retired jet than a fully functioning active in service jet.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s pointless to spend a lot of money on modifying and keeping legacy jets in service when its lifespan and technology is decades old and obsolete. Converting this into an unmanned version will require a lot of changes and tests which will take years to develop an unmanned system. It’s much better, faster and cost effective to just use our current or older pilots.

If we want to use an expendable decoy or any type of decoy then it makes sense to use a large drone. This will be a cost effective solution that doesn’t require a lot of training or technology changes.

 

[White T POISON]

Make the old MiG-21s kamikaze bombs. Put a 2,000 kg explosive and replace the cockpit.
Make MiG-27, Jaguar, and MiG-23s as strike drones.

 

[Dredd]

Make the old MiG-21s kamikaze bombs. Put a 2,000 kg explosive and replace the cockpit.
Make MiG-27, Jaguar, and MiG-23s as strike drones.

Would a MiG-21 be cheaper and more effective than a similar ranged cruise missile like the BrahMos?

 

[Kira]

We already have very old junk still flying in the inventory. Option is either this or master the remote piloting tech by fitting into an expensive Su30 or Tejas. Old retired fighters are a better fit, because they are bound to crash during dev phase. Better to lose an expendable retired jet than a fully functioning active in service jet.

It's not about the logic of using a retired fighter jet, but the logistics of maintaining an older fleet of retired jets, ready and fit to fly as per mission scenarios.

My point being, it's still a hassle to maintain a fighter jet in flying condition, even post-retirement.

Even HAL and an Israeli firm had been thinking of converting older MIG-21s into drones back in the early 2000s, but the project was abandoned due to spares issues and the fact that drones can do what an unmanned fighter jet can do at a lower cost.