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

[Speedster1]

Why would they be operable from LHDs? They will perform worse there without a ramp.

To be clear, I had the Turkish LHD in mind which is based on the Navantia JC-1. They are reportedly developing a STOL capable version of the Kizilelma drone capable of operating from its deck.


I'd say that's the benchmark for the CATS Warrior in the ship-based role.

 

[_Anonymous_]

All these posts on the previous page still haven't addressed the elephant in the room regarding IAFs plans for a CCA / UCAV !

The IN's CCA is a side show in the larger scheme of things when we go up against China yet they're the ones who've shown great initiative whereas the organization tasked for air warfare - the IAF is still orgasmic about the Rafales neglecting every other aspect of air warfare with the exception of the ADS which once again is a tri service initiative.

 

[babablacksheep]

All these posts on the previous page still haven't addressed the elephant in the room regarding IAFs plans for a CCA / UCAV !

The IN's CCA is a side show in the larger scheme of things when we go up against China yet they're the ones who've shown great initiative whereas the organization tasked for air warfare - the IAF is still orgasmic about the Rafales neglecting every other aspect of air warfare with the exception of the ADS which once again is a tri service initiative.

IAF is in active collaboration with drdo,nal, hal on all the loyal wingman related development taking place.
Same case for Tejas mk2, amca etc projects.

 

[_Anonymous_]

IAF is in active collaboration with drdo,nal, hal on all the loyal wingman related development taking place.
Same case for Tejas mk2, amca etc projects.

So how come they aren't involved in the CATS program of HAL or the HTFE & HTSE programs which is the baby of HAL currently being developed with in house funds & meandering for there's no interest from the end user ?

 

[Ashwin]

Abhimanyu is very small UAV compared to CATS. Its laughable compared to GA, Boeing or Anduril products. All these comparison discussions are futile.

 

[babablacksheep]

So how come they aren't involved in the CATS program of HAL or the HTFE & HTSE programs which is the baby of HAL currently being developed with in house funds & meandering for there's no interest from the end user ?

While officially its a HAL program and led by hal, but airforce is involved in cats program from the start.

HAL had quietly initiated the CATS project in 2017 and also tested the project in Pokhran in Rajasthan for the Indian Air Force, **senior officers** of which were said to be impressedby watching the tests. The preliminary design work has been completed. Work is now being done to define the requirements**

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As the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in military operations has increased, so too have their capabilities. One recently developed capability is the ability to operate in conjunction with...

fullafterburner.weebly.com

Engines are part of the broader programs.

 

[Speedster1]

CATS Warrior may not be a mission mode project, yet. But HALs recent stmt about integrating HTFE-25 on it means that both progs are progressing well.

 

[_Anonymous_]

While officially its a HAL program and led by hal, but airforce is involved in cats program from the start.

HAL had quietly initiated the CATS project in 2017 and also tested the project in Pokhran in Rajasthan for the Indian Air Force, **senior officers** of which were said to be impressedby watching the tests. The preliminary design work has been completed. Work is now being done to define the requirements**

Blog Archives

As the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in military operations has increased, so too have their capabilities. One recently developed capability is the ability to operate in conjunction with...

fullafterburner.weebly.com

Engines are part of the broader programs.

I'd believe this when I see official confirmation.

 

[randomradio]

To be clear, I had the Turkish LHD in mind which is based on the Navantia JC-1. They are reportedly developing a STOL capable version of the Kizilelma drone capable of operating from its deck.


I'd say that's the benchmark for the CATS Warrior in the ship-based role.

Yeah. That's why I brought up Russia's Grom. A loyal wingman drone powered by an RD-93.

So the current lot of drones we are working on are all aimed at the IAF.

 

[randomradio]

While officially its a HAL program and led by hal, but airforce is involved in cats program from the start.

HAL had quietly initiated the CATS project in 2017 and also tested the project in Pokhran in Rajasthan for the Indian Air Force, **senior officers** of which were said to be impressedby watching the tests. The preliminary design work has been completed. Work is now being done to define the requirements**

Blog Archives

As the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in military operations has increased, so too have their capabilities. One recently developed capability is the ability to operate in conjunction with...

fullafterburner.weebly.com

Engines are part of the broader programs.

CATS began as a program to upgrade Jaguars.

While the IAF is keeping watch on it, the program itself is not based on any set SQRs.

The main drone push is coming from DRDO instead. And they have decided to rope in the private sector.

The IAF is likely to keep HAL out of their next gen projects like FUFA, Ghatak, and AMCA and any other associated drone projects, but HAL could step in to supply for their own programs, LCA Mk1A and MKI.

And don't be fooled by the support of senior officers, plenty of HAL/Russia loyalists in the air force. The decision makers are generally someone else. Any appreciation of new technologies shouldn't be taken as a tacit acknowledgement of induction.

When the drone programs begin, if they begin, then we will see HAL getting competition and Warrior could go the same way as ATAGS. People shouldn't be surprised when that happens.

With DAP-2026 just released, we should see a flurry of new long term RFPs announced for development across all three services over the next 1-2 years.

 

[spice]

x . com/GauravT71548031/status/2041856285394792785#m

It is true. The CATS warrior has in fact been mentioned in relation to the Tejas Mk 1A, and the Jaguar MAX etc. But a more realistic note is the Tejas Mk 2. Which is why it's development has reached a reasonably advanced stage now.

Air Cmde Gaurav M Tripathi (retd) VSM

 

[spice]

Tata Elxsi designed, engineered, and delivered the center fuselage assembly jig for the new Unmanned Aerial Combat Vehicle to ARDC
– HAL. The assembly jig will be used to assemble the center fuselage section of production aircraft, comprising of 435+ key parts, primarily made of advanced composite materials. This jig design delivers aerospace grade precision with laser guided metrology. The center fuselage section accommodates critical systems like the wing attachment frames, main landing gear, Fuel storage system, and Air Intake system.

This project builds on the successful delivery of the ground-run capable structure of the CATS Warrior to HAL in 2025 and underscores Tata Elxsi’s deep Aerospace capabilities right from system design to Aerostructures Tooling development.

https://www.tataelxsi.com/investors FY 26: Q4 Fact Sheet Page 25

 

[Aniruddha]

Tata Elxsi designed, engineered, and delivered the center fuselage assembly jig for the new Unmanned Aerial Combat Vehicle to ARDC
– HAL. The assembly jig will be used to assemble the center fuselage section of production aircraft, comprising of 435+ key parts, primarily made of advanced composite materials. This jig design delivers aerospace grade precision with laser guided metrology. The center fuselage section accommodates critical systems like the wing attachment frames, main landing gear, Fuel storage system, and Air Intake system.

This project builds on the successful delivery of the ground-run capable structure of the CATS Warrior to HAL in 2025 and underscores Tata Elxsi’s deep Aerospace capabilities right from system design to Aerostructures Tooling development.

https://www.tataelxsi.com/investors FY 26: Q4 Fact Sheet Page 25

Does this mean HAL is already working on fabrication of subsequent CATS Warrior prototypes for flight testing?

 

[batman]

Why was the previous intake of Half Cats Warrior changed? It looked more futuristic, did the newer design have enough performance improvement to warrant such a change.

 

[Choice_of _inevitability]

It's simpler to make.

Why was the previous intake of Half Cats Warrior changed? It looked more futuristic, did the newer design have enough performance improvement to warrant such a change.

 

[BHARAT KA BETA]

Why was the previous intake of Half Cats Warrior changed? It looked more futuristic, did the newer design have enough performance improvement to warrant such a change.

It's not about futuristic or, aesthetic solely by compromising capability. The previous design of air-intake was limiting the internal payload capacity. The CATS warrior is a small wingman machine. We need to meet the full potential of its usage. After the design change the internal payload capacity has increased. Also it will reduce the IR signature of the Aircraft through smaller Air-intakes which will eventually increase the stealth character of the machine .