HAL Unveils Upgraded CATS Warrior with Nearly Doubled MTOW, Promises Greater Operational Flexibility for Indian Air Force

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has revealed a significantly enhanced version of its CATS Warrior Loyal Wingman unmanned aerial system (UAS) at Aero India 2025.

This advanced UAS, designed to collaborate with manned fighter jets, boasts a remarkable increase in its maximum take-off weight (MTOW) to over 2 tons, nearly double its previous capability.

This upgrade translates to a substantial boost in the Warrior's payload capacity, allowing it to carry more weapons and equipment, and significantly expanding its operational versatility for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The CATS Warrior is designed with a focus on stealth, featuring a low-observable airframe and an internal weapons bay to minimize its radar signature. This makes it ideal for deep strike missions behind enemy lines, where it can deliver precision strikes without being easily detected.

The increased MTOW further enhances its effectiveness in such missions, enabling it to carry a wider range of payloads and engage a greater number of targets.

This unmanned platform offers a range of advanced capabilities, including:

• Autonomous Take-Off and Landing (ATOL): The Warrior can take off and land without pilot intervention, reducing the workload on human operators and increasing operational flexibility.
• Dynamic Mission Scheduling: The UAS adapts to changing battlefield conditions with a dynamic mission scheduling system, optimizing its deployment in real-time.
• Modular Design: The Warrior's modular airframe allows for easy modification and customization, while its portable ground control station enables rapid deployment in various environments.
• Attritable Mission Planning: The Warrior's low-cost design makes it suitable for high-risk missions where the loss of the aircraft is considered acceptable, given the potential gains.
• Indigenous Systems: The Warrior incorporates domestically developed flight control and adaptive avionics systems, ensuring compatibility with India's defence requirements and technological self-reliance.

Operating as a "Loyal Wingman," the CATS Warrior is designed to complement IAF fighter jets, extending their reach and enhancing their survivability.

By carrying out precision strikes and suppressing enemy air defences, the Warrior allows manned aircraft to operate more safely and effectively, particularly in challenging environments. This collaborative approach is expected to significantly boost the IAF's combat capabilities.