Hindustan Aeronautics Limited successfully conducted the engine ground run of a full-scale demonstrator of the aircraft, on January 11, 2025
The CATS Warrior, a flagship initiative by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is set to revolutionize aerial combat. Designed as a loyal wingman within the Combat Air Teaming system (CATS), the CATS Warrior seamlessly collaborates with the LCA mothership, taking on high-risk missions such as strike, surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, decoy operations, and swarm attacks. Its advanced Autonomous Take-off and Landing (ATOL) capabilities, combined with a low-observable profile, make it an invaluable asset for complex combat environments, reducing the risk to human pilots.
Tata Elxsi proudly partnered with HAL in this groundbreaking venture, contributing to the design, engineering, and fabrication of the airframe assembly, fuel storage system, and landing gear for the full-scale CATS Warrior demonstrator. By combining our aerospace engineering expertise with HAL’s deep aviation legacy, we developed a solution that not only met but exceeded the performance criteria, helping create a full-scale demonstrator in record time eventually lead in compressed timelines of the actual product development.
The scale model of CATS Warrior was first unveiled at Aero India 2021. The Warrior scale model was accompanied by TEJAS-MAX cockpit which acted as a “mothership” for the CATS. HAL management approved an internal funding of ₹390 crore (equivalent to ₹438 crore or US$52 million in 2023) for the development as of February 2021. As per Arup Chatterjee, Director of HAL Engineering, Research & Development division the integration with CATS MAX mothership will take 1-2 years and first flights is scheduled for 2024-25.
On 11 January 2025, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) successfully conducted the engine ground run of a full-scale demonstrator of the aircraft. CATS Warrior is one of the flagship programmes of HAL. Multiple design changes has been brought up in the demonstrator as compared with the scale model, most importantly the air intake. The new design shifted from angular surfaces which prioritised stealth. A report stated that, instead, “the aircraft uses RAM (Radar Absorbent Material) coatings and laminations with over 99% attenuation”. These changes were made to enhance the performance while still being low observable. The changes could also increase payload and efficiency.
HAL displayed the prototype in Aero India 2025. The jet will undergo further ground testing, followed by taxi trials and first flight scheduled by the end of 2025.
HAL is collaborating with other entities on the project, including the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation), NewSpace Research & Technologies, and Rolls-Royce.
The CATS Warrior is part of the broader Combat Air Teaming System (CATS), which focuses on manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) for future air combat.
It’s designed to be a “loyal wingman” UCAV, working in coordination with manned aircraft like the Tejas, AMCA, and other fighters.
The CATS Warrior is intended to perform various tasks in combat, including scouting, acting as a force multiplier, and engaging in strike missions.
Rolls-Royce is potentially partnering with HAL to develop a new engine for the CATS Warrior, particularly for a planned MkII variant.
A modified Kiran jet trainer is being used as a testbed to develop and test the data-linking and coordination capabilities with manned aircraft.
