HAL CATS Warrior
| Company type | State-owned enterprise |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace and defense |
| Headquarters | Bangalore , India |
| Owner | Government of India |
| Website | hal-india |
HAL CATS Warrior represents a low observable unmanned combat aerial vehicle and loyal wingman crafted by the Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) under the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This UAV is a component of the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) initiative, a Public Private Partnership (PPP) formed between HAL and the Indian startup NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT). A scaled-down prototype was initially revealed at Aero India 2021, with HAL presenting a CATS Warrior prototype at Aero India 2025.
Development
The CATS Warrior is being engineered as an autonomous wingman drone capable of conducting takeoffs and landings on both terrestrial bases and aircraft carriers at sea. It is designed to operate in tandem with current and future fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF), including the Tejas, AMCA, TEDBF, Su-30MKI, and Jaguar, which will function as its mothership. While primarily tailored for the IAF, a smaller variant might be developed to meet the requirements of the Indian Navy. Controlled remotely by its mothership, the drone is tasked with reconnaissance, absorbing hostile fire, engaging targets using both internal and external weaponry, or executing a sacrificial attack by colliding with enemy assets if necessary.
The operational combat radius extends to 350 km for missions involving a return trip, while one-way missions, where the drone may be expended, can reach up to 800 km. As an unmanned platform, it can be commanded to sacrifice itself when returning to friendly territory is unfeasible. Retired HAL test pilot Group Captain H.V. Thakur characterized the system as a "sensor amplifier" that advances ahead of manned fighters to collect vital intelligence.
At Aero India 2021, a scale model was introduced alongside the TEJAS-MAX cockpit, which serves as its mothership interface. HAL sanctioned internal funding amounting to for its development. Arup Chatterjee, Director of HAL Engineering R&D, indicated that integration with the CATS MAX mothership would require one to two years, targeting initial flights between 2024 and 2025.
On 11 January 2025, HAL achieved a significant milestone by successfully performing an engine ground run on a full-scale demonstrator. This demonstrator incorporates design modifications from the earlier scale model; notably, the air intake design shifted from angular stealth surfaces to utilizing radar absorbent material (RAM) coatings that provide over 99% radar attenuation. These enhancements are intended to boost performance while preserving stealth characteristics and increasing payload capacity and operational efficiency.
The prototype was exhibited at Aero India 2025. Ongoing ground testing and taxi trials are in progress, with the maiden flight anticipated before the close of 2025.
Design
Constructed with composite materials, the aircraft includes an internal weapons bay and exhibits a hybrid design: its nose section resembles the MQ-28 Ghost Bat wingman, whereas its mid-fuselage and tail sections are inspired by the XQ-58 Valkyrie.
Avionics — The platform is outfitted with electro-optic/infrared sensors, an Active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system, inertial navigation units, and electronic jamming capabilities. These systems enable it to fulfill intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and combat functions. The prototype integrates an indigenous Mission Computer developed by SLRDC.
Armament — It has the capacity to carry two modern short-range or beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles externally, along with two internally housed DRDO Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) munitions.
Propulsion
Positioned on top of the fuselage, a single serpentine air intake supplies airflow to two engines.
The CATS Warrior utilizes two HAL PTAE-W engines, which are based on the HAL PTAE-7 turbojet engineered by HAL’s Aero Engine Research and Development Centre. This PTAE-W engine is a compact, single-shaft turbojet measuring 1.27 meters in length, 330 mm in diameter, and weighing 65 kg. Its configuration features a four-stage transonic axial compressor, a single-stage turbine, an annular combustion chamber equipped with 16 fuel burners, an updated FADEC system, and an improved time between overhauls (TBO) of 1,000 hours. The powerplant generates thrust with a specific fuel consumption rate of 1.15 kg/kg.f/hr. The exhaust incorporates a chevron nozzle design akin to that of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, which helps minimize jet noise and radar signature.