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The HAL CATS Warrior is an Indian-developed, low-observable unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed to act as a "loyal wingman" to a manned fighter aircraft. It is a key component of the larger Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) program by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and an Indian private startup, NewSpace Research & Technologies.
Key Features and Purpose
- Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T): The primary concept is for a single pilot in a "mothership" aircraft (such as the HAL Tejas or Su-30MKI) to command and control multiple Warrior drones from a safe distance.
- Role: The drone is designed to perform high-risk missions, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), absorbing enemy fire, and conducting precision strikes, thus reducing the risk to human pilots and expensive manned aircraft.
- Stealth Capabilities: The UCAV features a composite structure and specific design elements (like a serpentine air intake) to reduce its radar cross-section, making it difficult for enemy air defence systems to detect.
- Armament: It has an internal weapon bay to maintain stealth and can carry two Smart Anti-Airfield Weapons (SAAW) or Next-Generation Close Combat Missiles (NG-CCM). It also has external hardpoints for additional weapons or air-to-air missiles.
- Autonomy: Equipped with advanced AI and an indigenous mission computer, the Warrior can operate autonomously and make mission-critical decisions, all while remaining under the overarching control of the mothership aircraft.
- Kamikaze Capability: In high-risk scenarios, it can be directed to perform a one-way, "suicide" mission by crashing into high-value enemy targets.
