As for the drone yea even i can make a powerpoint, lets get the fking prototype first
It takes time from concept to reality mate as far as Mil-aviation is concerned.
Is any of this confirmed or are we looking at a new Story Teller now ? Besides why not convert the NLCA into an UCAV ? Isn't that easier than launching a clean sheet design ?
Seems to be, the rendering of cats warrior, brahmos ng, astramk2, tara, Saaw, rudram 2, seems fairly accurate, which further increases the chances of renders of bigger cats warrior mk2(unmaned amca looking thing), and cats hunter( stealthy cruise missile in the middle) being accurate too.
Its not stealth, along with having a cockpit and associated systems for human pilot, taking space that otherwise will be available in unmanned systems, its internal architecture is also of older generation compared to what will be installed in future unmanned and manned systems.
A dedicated drone will ultimately be a better platform for that.
Cats warrior with PTAE engines
How come HAL is making such forecasts & there's absolutely nothing about this from the IAF ? If I'm not mistaken the IAF isn't even participating in its development .
They will do emergency import of french & israeli CCA that's their game plan.
www.janes.com
indianexpress.com
The IA has signed up for a smaller, MALE version of NRTs HAPS drone called Medium Altitude Persistent Surveillance System.
Indian Army to procure solar-powered surveillance UAV
Bangalore-based NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT) has secured a contract worth INR1.68 billion (USD18.6 million) from the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) to...
Otoh, the IN has ordered the full-spec HAPS version.
Not many know that NRT is partnered with HAL on this project aka CATS Infinity.
HAL project to build pseudo satellite set to get approval for govt funds: Official
At present, it is a self-financed project to build HAPS as a part of a drone warfare programme for the defence forces.
There are currently no French or Israeli CCA in advanced stages of development.
These startups Kalam Labs and Paninian how exactly do they expect to achieve their grandiose design targets? What will power their drones and do they even have the experience to design such things? Their capability to act on their claims are borderline laughable rn.Right now all of these drone programs are HAL's pet projects without the support of forces.
In the expendable class, the IN has chosen Abhimanyu. I guess it's currently not suitable for IAF use.
In the non-expendable class, neither the IAF nor IN have made a decision yet. We will likely be looking at a large program with multiple competitors, HAL being one of them. Or maybe none at all.
General Atomics is offering their Gambit Series. Airbus is offering something too.
In India, Paninian is working on a loyal wingman program.
Right now, there's no clear indication of whether the forces will even pursue these non-expendable mid-range drone programs. Only the IN has shown a passing interest in the CATS concept in front of the media. The IAF has been mum about everything.
Kalam Labs is working on a near-space mach 2.5+ supercruise-capable drone.
Kalam Labs - Advanced Stratospheric Aerial Systems
Near space aerial vehicles operating at 100,000+ ft for high-altitude reconnaissance and surveillance missions. Advanced stealth technology for strategic operations.www.kalamlabs.in
The Indian Army already tested one of their autonomous UAVs to above 30 km in the Himalayas. The website's banner is the video. They are currently working on a smaller ramjet UAV for near-space surveillance.
