HAL's CATS-Warrior Demonstrator Completes Successful Engine Ground Run, Prototype Unveiling Set for Aero India 2025

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has reached a significant milestone in its Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) project with the successful engine ground run of the CATS-Warrior Full-Scale Demonstrator.

This achievement highlights the collaborative efforts of HAL's various Research and Development (R&D) centers, showcasing the integration of aircraft design, an indigenous Mission Computer, and an indigenous power plant.

The CATS-Warrior, a key component of the air teaming concept, is designed to operate alongside manned aircraft, enhancing combat capabilities through a mix of manned and unmanned aerial vehicles. This successful ground run signifies progress towards operational readiness, with the prototype aircraft slated to be unveiled at Aero India 2025 next month.

Dr. D.K. Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, commended the team's dedication and emphasized the importance of expediting the project's development. "This milestone is a testament to our technical prowess and our commitment to enhancing the strategic capabilities of our armed forces," he remarked.

The CATS-Warrior is envisioned as a loyal wingman drone capable of performing various missions, from reconnaissance to combat support, while reducing risk to human pilots. The integration of indigenous technology across different systems underscores HAL's capabilities in advanced aerospace manufacturing and aligns with India's vision of self-reliance in defence technology.

This achievement comes as the Indian defence sector focuses on innovation and indigenous development. The CATS program, by leveraging the expertise of HAL's specialized R&D centers, exemplifies how integrated efforts can lead to significant advancements in military technology.

HAL has been developing the CATS concept with the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas as the mothership platform. The CATS system includes components like the Hunter, Alpha, and Warrior, each with specific roles. The Hunter can strike deep inside enemy territory, the Alpha will be equipped with swarm drones, and the Warrior can strike after penetrating nearly 700 km into enemy territory.

This approach aims to keep pilots out of harm's way by utilizing unmanned platforms to penetrate enemy airspace and carry out attacks when necessary. The CATS-Warrior's successful engine ground run is a promising step toward realizing this vision, potentially revolutionizing India's air combat capabilities.

 

[sanket]

Thats Good news From in the new Year to begin, congrates to HAL I already said This year is full of Xcitement, Now Naysayers & comedian will start entertaining the forum shortly.

 

[Ronit Roy]

I was already saying that Cats warrior prototype will be unveiled this year. Good job HAL. First flight maybe held during Aero India. High hopes from CATS program. Also, Tejas mk2 prototype will be rolled out this year for sure. Jai Bharat

 

[P.K Senapati]

Good news.Wish them success in ground test and subsequent taxi run and flight test.
It can carry sensors and wepons for combat operations.
The name should have been U-CATS.
Unmanned Combat Aircraft Training System

 

[The_rED_dEVIL]

Hopefully, first flight in Aero India or at least by fiscal year-end.

 

[rama]

whenever India is attacked in any form, use all these weapons against enemy, don't allow enemy time to breathe, just finish it to dust.

 

[Akshat]

I was already saying that Cats warrior prototype will be unveiled this year. Good job HAL. First flight maybe held during Aero India. High hopes from CATS program. Also, Tejas mk2 prototype will be rolled out this year for sure. Jai Bharat

A plane that was supposed to go into mass production in 2016 MIGHT BE rolled out in 2025. Wow, great work from HAL indeed. Thank God NSR was involved with CATS, else this would also have been unveiled in 2040.

 

[Ronit Roy]

A plane that was supposed to go into mass production in 2016 MIGHT BE rolled out in 2025. Wow, great work from HAL indeed. Thank God NSR was involved with CATS, else this would also have been unveiled in 2040.

The Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) program for the Indian Air Force (IAF) was officially launched in 2018. The concept was first unveiled to the public at AERO-India 2021

 

[Aloo]

A plane that was supposed to go into mass production in 2016 MIGHT BE rolled out in 2025. Wow, great work from HAL indeed. Thank God NSR was involved with CATS, else this would also have been unveiled in 2040.

CATS Warrior is in front of eyes, but some can't digest HAL's achievement and give credit to NSRT who has no involvement in CATS Warrior.

Truth: CCS approval for Mk 2 was given in September 2022.

 

[Aloo]

Thats Good news From in the new Year to begin, congrates to HAL I already said This year is full of Xcitement, Now Naysayers & comedian will start entertaining the forum shortly.

One such naysayer is sharing credit with NSRT and implying only because of them Warrior is unveiled.

In reality NSRT has no role here. They are involved in HAPS and ALFS-S drone. But naysayers can't accept HAL's success.

 

[War is good for business]

A plane that was supposed to go into mass production in 2016 MIGHT BE rolled out in 2025. Wow, great work from HAL indeed. Thank God NSR was involved with CATS, else this would also have been unveiled in 2040.

CATS warrior in 2016? Are you high on something or what? It was beyond what was possible back then.

 

[Akshat]

CATS warrior in 2016? Are you high on something or what? It was beyond what was possible back then.

Oh it seems you are the one who is high on something. I used the term 'rolled out'. That phrase, in the comment to which I was responding, was used for Tejas Mk2. Official HAL documents sent to their vendors, in 2014, had projected 2016 as the year in which Tejas Mk2 was supposed to start mass production. So please read properly and respond accordingly, buddy.

As for CATS, it is mostly a NSR project. So I am pretty sure they will do a good job, at least till the time they have to rely on HAL for something. At that point all timelines will go haywire.

 

[Sandeep]

Finally! This has been a long time coming and now we need to pass and certify the technology and capabilities so we can start production as soon as possible. This will help us by increasing our fire power and conduct risky missions rather than sacrificing a pilot operating a jet.