IAF Fast-Tracks CATS Warrior Program, Aims to Procure 200-250 Loyal Wingman Drones to Bolster Fighter Squadrons

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is accelerating the development of its Loyal Wingman program, a crucial initiative aimed at boosting its combat capabilities amidst declining squadron levels.

This program, spearheaded by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in collaboration with private sector company NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT), is gaining momentum with the CATS Warrior unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) taking center stage.

Recent meetings between HAL, NRT, and the IAF have confirmed substantial progress in the CATS Warrior's development. The majority of the required technology has been developed, and the design has been validated through extensive testing, including successful evaluation of a scale model to assess its flight characteristics.

The CATS Warrior is designed as an unmanned force multiplier, capable of operating alongside manned fighter jets like the Tejas, which will act as its mothership. This pairing will allow the Warrior to undertake diverse missions, from Combat Air Patrol (CAP) to strike operations in contested airspace, minimizing risks to human pilots.

With the Tejas as its mothership, the IAF plans to procure 200 to 250 Loyal Wingman drones. These UCAVs will extend the IAF's operational reach, particularly in high-risk missions where manned aircraft would face significant threats.

The Loyal Wingman will fly alongside Tejas fighters, enhancing their capabilities by acting as a force multiplier, either protecting the manned aircraft or conducting independent operations.

This initiative is not just about compensating for the IAF's dwindling squadron strength; it's about building a futuristic force structure that seamlessly integrates manned and unmanned platforms.

To cater to diverse mission requirements, HAL has proposed two versions of the Loyal Wingman: the Warrior 1, optimized for air patrol and defence, and the larger Warrior 2, designed for strike operations with a greater payload capacity.

The Loyal Wingman program is progressing rapidly, with HAL expected to unveil the initial CATS Warrior prototype next year. This prototype will undergo rigorous testing before entering mass production.

This program is a key element of the IAF's broader strategy to enhance its aerial combat capabilities. By integrating unmanned systems like the CATS Warrior with manned platforms like the Tejas, the IAF aims to maintain a competitive edge in future conflicts where unmanned systems will play an increasingly vital role.

 

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[Shiva]

Wow..
It means, we are ready to tackle 5th and 6th Gen aircraft fighters to be delat with a group of low cost wingmans using a clever sophisticated algorithms and those algorithms and eventual newer algorithms can be tested directly in simulators using rigorous testing facilities.

This is awesome.
Now, India need notworry upon 5th / 6th Gen aircrafts, instaed,

The exitsing facilities of Su-30MKI super sukoi and Tejas with AL-31FP engines and (F-4 GE engines, in case supplied) are quiet sufficient. These wingmans anyhow, are developed using low cost, low weight, pure Indigneous engines that can be bulk produceable)

This is a revolutionary direction HAL planned few years before.
Good to see, its rigorous testing and several internal tools and technology were already developed and even prototype testing with hardware facility is completed. Hopefully in next two/three years , will comeup with a group of products to IAF.