The Author is Former Director General of Information Systems and A Special Forces Veteran, Indian Army

India's indigenous unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) 'CATS Warrior' was first unveiled as a scale model mockup at Aero India 2021. The Warrior scale model was accompanied by a Tejas-Max cockpit which acted as a "mothership" for the CATS. The CATS Warrior, a key component of the broader Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) programme, is being developed by the Aircraft Research and Design Centre (ARDC) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), in collaboration with Bengaluru-based private startup NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT), as part of a public-private partnership.

The CATS Warrior is a low-observable UCAV designed to function as a 'loyal wingman' that can accompany and support manned fighter jets during combat missions. It is engineered for autonomous operations, with capabilities for both land-based and aircraft carrier operations. At the Aero India 2025, HAL displayed a full-scale prototype of the CATS Warrior, signaling the project's advancement. Multiple design changes had been brought up in the prototype demonstrator as compared with the scale model showcased at Aero India 2021, most importantly the air intake. The new design shifted from angular surfaces which prioritised stealth. A report stated that, instead, the prototype now uses Radar Absorbent Material (RAM) coatings and laminations with over 99 per cent attenuation. These changes were made to enhance the performance while still being low observable. The changes could also increase payload and efficiency.

The ambitious CATS Warrior initiative is steadily progressing toward completion. The first test flight of the CATS Warrior is scheduled for 2026, with the prototype currently in its final stages of development.

General characteristics of the CATS Warrior include the following: Capacity - 650 kg weapon load; Length - 9.1 metres; Wingspan - 7.6 metres; Height - 2.6 metres; Maximum Take Off Weight - 2,100 kg; Powerplant - 2 × HAL PTAE-W turbojet with 3.7 kN thrust each. Performance parameters of the CATS Warrior are: Maximum Speed: Mach 0.9; Cruise Speed - 790 km/h or Mach 0.6; Range - 700 km; Combat Range - 350 km; Service Ceiling - 9,000 metres. The armament package of CATS Warrior comprises: Four Hardpoints – two internal (155 kg each) and two external (170 kg each) with a capacity of 650 kg; Provisions to carry combinations of 2 x ASRAAM air to air missiles and bombs – 2 x DRDO Smart Anti-Airfield bombs and 24 x CATS ALFA-S. For avionics, the CATS Warrior will be equipped with an electro-optic/infrared payload, Active electronically scanned (AESA) radar, inertial navigation unit, and a jammer for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and combat operations, The prototype uses an indigenous Mission Computer from SLRDC.

The CATS Warrior will team up with the Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets like the LCA Tejas, Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), Su-30 MKI and Jaguar, which will act as motherships. A smaller naval version is also under consideration for the Indian Navy. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is conducting final-stage trials of the indigenous Kaveri engine in Russia, which is being considered for integration with the upcoming CATS Warrior platform.

The CATS Warrior is designed to carry out a range of combat roles. Operated remotely by a mothership aircraft (IAF jet fighters), the CATS Warrior has the capability to return to base after completing its mission. The CATS warrior is designed to perform a series of tactical roles, from reconnaissance and absorbing enemy fire to offensive strikes using internal and external weapon pylons. In high-risk missions, it can also be deployed as a kamikaze drone, intentionally crashing into high-value enemy targets to protect manned aircraft and maximise mission impact. According to a former IAF test pilot, the CATS Warrior will serve as a 'sensor amplifier' for the LCA Tejas fighter jet, flying out ahead of the manned aircraft and using its sensors to feed information back to the Tejas. He also says the CATS Warrior will fly back for another mission within the combat radius of 350 km and for a long-range mission with a combat radius of 800 km it will sacrifice itself crashing into the target. As an unmanned asset, it can be directed towards a target and sacrificed in case it cannot be flown back to its own territory.