Thread by @RAFIndia_

1/13.(1A)

In Aerolndia-2021, HAL showcased their ambitious project named 'Combat Air Teaming System' aka CATS. This is a manned-unmmaned teaming system project in which Al powered autonomous unamnned aerial vehicles will fly along with manned fighter jets for strike mission-

2/13 (1B)

- deep inside enemy territory without risking pilot life. They first introduced this concept in Aerolndia-2019. HAL is working with private firm 'NewSpace Research and Technologies (NSRT)'.

CATS will have 8 components.

3/13 CATS-MAX

MAX stands for mothership Mothership for Air eXploitation. It is based on manned fighter such as LCA Tejas, Jaguar, Sukhoi SU-30MKI and future fighters.

Pilot/weapon operator will operate all unmanned components from this mothership while remain in our airspace.

4/13 (2A) CATS Warrior

Warrior is a unmanned stealth wingman combat drone which is major component of CATS. This UAV weigh about 1.6 tonne and can fly autonomously at about 36-40,000 feet. It will have combat radius of 300km with two hours endurance. Meanwhile on kamikaze-

5/13 (2B)

- mission it can go upto - 900-1000km. It will powered by two PTAE-W engines which will give it mach 0.7 speed.

Single Warrior drone cost about 40 crore which could be written off depending upon the type of mission. HAL plans to built two variants (4m and 9m length).-

6/13 (2C)

- it will carry weapon like Smart Anti Airfield Weapon (SAAW), ALFA-S drones and Close Combat Missile internally as well as externally.

7/13
CATS Hunter

It is a terrain hugging, turbojet powered, low observable cruise missile with a range of about 300km. It can carry warhead upto 250kg and have two versions, one with electro-optical sensors and other will have AESA radar. It can be recovered using parachute.

8/13 (3A)
CATS AFLA

ALFA Stands for Air Launched Flexible Assets. These are swarm drones consisting 5 retractable wing kamikaze drones in one glide pod. After launch from aircraft, pod will go upto 100km & from then drone swarm travel upto 100km to strike on designated target.-

9/13 (3B)

- some of this drones will also use for data link relay or bomb damage assessment.

10/13

CATS Infinity

Infinity is a solar powered Pseudo-Satellite which will provide data link connectivity & surveillance for CATS formation. It will fly upto 65,000 feet for 90 days. Recently Indian Navy signed MOU with NewSpace Research and Technologies for CATS Infinity.

11/13 HALE UAV

It will be similar to General Atomic MQ-20 Avenger. This UAV will have range upto 1500km with endurance of 15 Hours. It will powered by indigenous turbofan engine.

12/13
CATS OMCA

OMCA Stands for Optionally-Manned Combat Aircraft. HAL is converting retired Mig-21, Mig-27 and Kiran jets into OMCA.

13/13 ACID

ACID stand for Air Combat Intelligence Development. This programme will provide Artificial Intelligence and data link for Manned Unmanned teaming in CATS.

📸 (12/13)- @zone5aviation