NEW DELHI: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has conducted the engine ground run of the CATS Warrior, a full-scale demonstrator of India’s next-generation unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), at its Bengaluru facility on January 11.
Dr. D.K. Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, emphasized the importance of this accomplishment, stating, “This milestone is not just a testament to our technical prowess but also to our commitment to enhancing the strategic capabilities of our armed forces.” He urged the team to expedite the process to ensure that the CATS Warrior can commence flight trials promptly.
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The CATS Warrior is designed to function as a force multiplier, the CATS Warrior will operate in conjunction with manned fighter aircraft, undertaking tasks such as scouting, absorbing enemy fire, and executing precision strikes. Its capabilities include a combat radius of up to 350 kilometres for return missions and up to 800 kilometres for self-sacrifice missions, where the drone crashes into designated targets.
The development of the CATS Warrior involves collaboration between HAL and NewSpace Research and Technologies, an Indian private startup specializing in advanced aerospace technologies.
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The successful engine ground run signifies that the CATS Warrior’s propulsion systems are functioning as intended, paving the way for subsequent phases of testing, including taxi trials and flight tests. HAL plans to publicly unveil the CATS Warrior prototype at Aero India 2025, a premier aerospace exhibition.
By integrating unmanned assets like the CATS Warrior with manned fighter jets, the IAF aims to achieve greater situational awareness, extended operational reach, and increased mission effectiveness while minimizing risks to human pilots.
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The defence community and industry observers will keenly watch the forthcoming flight trials and the eventual induction of the CATS Warrior into the IAF’s operational fleet.