HAL Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Program - Updates and Discussion

[FalconSlayers]

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Weren't they prototyping Hunter a year back? So it seems bit odd to not mention about it in the AR and exclude it from their "present focus".



ALFA is presumably a lot more basic, they should've rolled out their protos early on. Essentially air launched loitering munitions.

 

[spice]

https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/will-resolve-issue-and-start-delivering-hal-cmd-ravi-kumar-on-tejas-lca-mk1a20260918102119/

In a major development regarding India’s futuristic unmanned combat capabilities, Kumar revealed that HAL has initiated the fabrication of the prototype for the 'CATS Warrior' (Combat Air Teaming System) autonomous drone.

"Now we have started building the prototypes of CATS Warrior. Next year, we are planning for certification," Kumar said, pointing to accelerated progress on the loyal-wingman unmanned platform.​

 

[Gautam]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2111522277502402643

Chonky. Carrying a Brahmos-A in a recessed well.

Don't like the exposed nozzles. I still feel the earliest CATS warrior was the best looking model.

 

[Gautam]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2111517275245408505

 

[GASOLINE_ON_FIRE]

incredible speed!!!!
I remember watching all these HAL CATS mockups in 2021. Its nearing 2027 now & not a single thing exists in actual hardware form. Its all vapourware.

 

[Ad 04 30]

incredible speed!!!!
I remember watching all these HAL CATS mockups in 2021. Its nearing 2027 now & not a single thing exists in actual hardware form. Its all vapourware.

HAL had demonstrated OMCA onboard Kiran, HAPS flew recently, and Warrior was revealed almost 2 years, and 2nd prototype is under construction. Tejas had also demonstrated teaming with drones.

India tests unmanned CATS aircraft

India has conducted ground tests of the engine of the CATS guided unmanned aircraft, which is being developed by the local company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

militarnyi.com

Just google

It's taking time because it's being build on limited internal budget and IAF is not involved

 

[Choice_of _inevitability]

because it's being build on limited internal budget

So much for "Maharatna CPSE", it's taking time because of who is doing the building.
That "first prototype" can't fly btw. The hard part of CCA isn't the flight, it's what comes after. The greater developers of INCOM 2004 in 2004.

Abhimanyu CCA is smaller, but as a program, it's far more promising.

 

[Aniruddha]

So much for "Maharatna CPSE", it's taking time because of who is doing the building.
That "first prototype" can't fly btw. The hard part of CCA isn't the flight, it's what comes after. The greater developers of INCOM 2004 in 2004.

Abhimanyu CCA is smaller, but as a program, it's far more promising.

Except the fact that the Abhimanyu CCA doesn't even exist as a prototype, let alone having conducted ground engine runs.

 

[Ad 04 30]

So much for "Maharatna CPSE", it's taking time because of who is doing the building.
That "first prototype" can't fly btw. The hard part of CCA isn't the flight, it's what comes after. The greater developers of INCOM 2004 in 2004.

Abhimanyu CCA is smaller, but as a program, it's far more promising.

Abhimanyu which hasn't even started ground tests? That is more promising?

Warrior's 1st prototype was never meant to fly, and was only build for ground testing. TATA Elxis who is the partner in the program also delivered fuselage of 2nd prototype months back, so its well underway


"Maharatna" also has to internally fund the development for IMRH, HTSE 25, HTFE 1200, and so on. They simply do not have enough money

This is also supposed to be the job of MoD/CCS where one hasn't approved anything for 1.5 years and other keeps wasting money in useless imports, while also ignoring the critical ones

 

[Choice_of _inevitability]

having conducted ground engine runs.

NRT has already demonstrated AI/ML driven autonomous flight abilities/datalink which in my opinion are far more consequential then a rudderless ground run. Active involvement of the navy itself is a huge advantage as far as operational viability and short development cycle are concerned.

+ What has Maharatna ground engine runs (on a model that doesn't fly) proven?
Whether prototype exists or under construction doesn't mean anything when Maharatna is involved. We have seen that in a long list of projects.

Does anyone remember when that photo of Tejas MK2 center fuselage went public, no?