HAL Developing High-Altitude, Long-Endurance 5-Ton Combat Drone with 500kg Payload

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is taking significant strides in advancing India’s unmanned aerial combat capabilities. Building on the success of its earlier initiatives, the aerospace giant is now focused on the development of a high-altitude, long-endurance (HALE) combat drone, the CATS Warrior II. This 5-ton unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) represents a leap forward in India’s indigenous drone technology, designed to meet the country’s evolving defense needs.

The CATS Warrior II is a step up from HAL’s previous CATS Warrior "loyal wingman" concept. While that design was focused on supporting manned fighter jets, this new iteration is an autonomous, fully independent combat drone with significantly enhanced features. With a payload capacity of 400 to 500 kg, the CATS Warrior II is optimized for high-altitude missions, making it capable of engaging targets from nearly 35,000 feet in the sky.

A key aspect of this UCAV is its endurance. Designed for extended missions, the drone is expected to have a flight endurance exceeding 10 hours, making it suitable for long surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike missions. This endurance is supported by the Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE-25), a domestically produced powerplant that HAL is concurrently developing. The HTFE-25 is expected to be certified by 2027, aligning with the anticipated timeline for the CATS Warrior II’s deployment. However, recognizing the long certification process, HAL is also considering integrating the Russian AL-55I engine as an interim solution to accelerate testing and operational deployment.

The CATS Warrior II is not just about raw power and endurance; it’s a sophisticated platform that bridges the gap between India’s existing tactical drones and more strategic UCAVs like the Ghatak. By fitting in this middle range, it adds flexibility to India’s air combat capabilities. The drone is expected to carry a variety of munitions, including precision-guided bombs and air-to-ground missiles, enhancing its effectiveness in both offensive and defensive roles.

HAL’s vision for this UCAV aligns with India’s broader goal of achieving self-reliance in defense technologies. The CATS Warrior II will likely be integrated with cutting-edge avionics, advanced sensors, and networked communication systems to ensure seamless operations within a larger combat ecosystem. Given its potential applications in both conventional and asymmetric warfare, this drone could be a pivotal addition to India’s aerial fleet.

The CATS Warrior II also underscores HAL’s commitment to developing homegrown defense solutions, reducing dependence on foreign technologies while meeting the increasingly complex security demands of the region. Positioned below the Ghatak UCAV program, the CATS Warrior II is designed to provide a versatile and reliable option for a range of missions, from border patrols to deep-strike operations.

As the design phase progresses, HAL’s work on this UCAV will be closely watched, especially given the strategic importance of high-endurance drones in modern warfare. The successful development and deployment of the CATS Warrior II could mark a significant milestone in India’s journey toward a more autonomous and self-sufficient defense capability.