Combat Air Teaming System (CATS)

Context:

Ahead of Aero India 2025, which is scheduled to be held next month, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) achieved a significant milestone by conducting the engine ground run of a full-scale demonstrator Combat Air Teaming System (CATS).

Combat Air Teaming System (CATS)

The HAL Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) is an Indian air teaming system with a manned fighter aircraft as the “mothership” and a set of swarming UAVs and UCAVs. It is under development by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), National Aerospace Laboratories, Defence Research and Development Organisation, and Newspace Research & Technologies.

Objectives:

• High-Altitude Surveillance:
  • Acts as atmospheric satellites for reconnaissance.
• Autonomous Strike Capabilities:
  • Allows for precision strikes with less human error.
• Team Coordination:
  • Mothership aircraft controls UAVs/UCAVs in a coordinated manner.
• Reduced Risk:
  • UAVs can absorb enemy fire, reducing threats to manned aircraft.

Key Components:

• CATS Warrior:
  • Unmanned stealth platform with improved HAL PTAE-7 twin turbojet engine.
• CATS Hunter:
  • Low observability standoff, air-launched cruise missile driven by a HAL PTAE-7 single turboshaft/turbo-jet engine
• CATS ALFA:
  • Air Launched Flexible Asset Swarm (ALFA-S) carriage
• CATS Infinity:
  • Solar powered pseudo-satellite (HAPS) at ultra-high altitude

Applications

• These would be appropriate for military use e.g. reconnaissance and surveillance missions over adversary’s territory.
• Strategic Intelligence:
  • High-altitude, long-endurance surveillance with solar-powered drones.

Aero India 2025

Aero India 2025 will include air shows, a large exhibition area, and events such as the Defence Ministers’ Conclave and a start-up programme. The theme for the event is “The Runway to a Billion Opportunities,” with the first three days reserved for business and the last two open to the public.

• Location
  • Bengaluru
• Date
  • 10h-14th Feb 2025.