Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will unveil its innovative CATS Warrior Loyal Wingman at Aero India 2025, an advanced unmanned aerial system (UAS) built to operate alongside manned aircraft for deep strike missions. Featuring significant improvements in both scale and functionality, the CATS Warrior marks a major advancement in India's defence technology, offering a flexible and strategic solution for contemporary aerial warfare and mission execution.

A major upgrade to the Warrior's design is its increased maximum take-off weight (MTOW), now exceeding 2 tons, significantly higher than the earlier limit of approximately 1,300 kg. This enhancement enables the Warrior to carry heavier payloads, improving its operational effectiveness and mission versatility.

HAL's CATS Warrior is built with low observability in mind, with its design optimised for reduced radar cross-section. This stealthy aircraft features an internal weapons bay, ensuring a sleek and low-observable profile during missions. Its design enables the Warrior to execute precision strikes while maintaining high effectiveness in hostile environments.

The CATS Warrior Loyal Wingman has many characteristics and capabilities. The Warrior is equipped with an Autonomous Take-Off and Landing (ATOL) system, allowing it to operate independently without human intervention. This feature enhances mission flexibility while reducing the workload on human operators. Its advanced mission scheduling system dynamically adjusts deployment strategies in real-time combat scenarios, ensuring optimal performance based on evolving battlefield conditions. Designed with a modular airframe, the Warrior allows quick and cost-efficient modifications, making it adaptable to different mission requirements.

Additionally, it includes a portable ground control station, enabling seamless operation across varied environments. HAL has also developed the Warrior with an economical airframe, making it suitable for “attritable” missions and high-risk operations where aircraft losses are expected but does not pose a significant financial burden. This approach ensures a balance between affordability and combat effectiveness.

The CATS Warrior is a "Loyal Wingman" designed to assist and complement its mothership aircraft, especially during deep strike missions into enemy territory. Equipped with precision-guided munitions, it enables manned aircraft to carry out operations from a safer distance, reducing the risks faced by human pilots. This collaboration enhances mission effectiveness, allowing the aircraft to engage enemy targets deep within hostile airspace more accurately and efficiently.