The Indian industrial association Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) presented a full-size model of an unmanned slave. It must interact primarily with the HAL Tejas fighter.
The model of a promising unmanned aerial vehicle Warrior was presented at the opening of the international aviation and space exhibition Aero India 2021. It became part of the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) program, which has been implemented for several years. It is assumed that the drone will be able to interact with manned aircraft-primarily with the Indian fighter HAL Tejas. One aircraft will be able to control multiple Warrior UAVs.
The first stage of development work under the program is designed until 2024. They want to start flight tests of a full-scale prototype around 2025.
Warrior
Image source: Marina Lys'eva
One of the main features of the aircraft is the widespread use of stealth technology. It is also known that the UAV will receive an onboard radar station.
Warrior
Image source: Marina Lys'eva
The Warrior must have a maximum take-off weight of 1,300 kilograms. It is assumed that it will receive two HAL RTAE-7 turbojet engines. The maximum speed of the Warrior should be M=0.7, and the range of the device will reach 800 kilometers. The mass of weapons is up to 250 kilograms. These could include air — to — air and air-to-surface missiles.
Warrior
Image source: Marina Lys'eva
The concept of an unmanned slave has become very popular in recent years. According to experts, the use of such devices will reduce the risk for pilots and generally make combat aviation even more effective. Some experts even talk about a "revolution" in the field of its application. Whether this one is true or not, time will tell.
Warrior
Image source: Marina Lys'eva
Recall that last year, Boeing rolled out a prototype of a promising unmanned wingman Loyal Wingman, created by order of the Australian Air Force. The device will receive wide combat capabilities: thanks to the use of large replaceable nose compartments, it will be able to carry a variety of equipment.
And recently, the Ministry of Defense of the United Kingdom issued a contract to Spirit AeroSystems for the construction of a prototype of an unmanned slave, which will enter service with the Royal Air Force in the future. The first flight of the car should be made by 2023.
As for Russia, the new strike UAV "Hunter"is sometimes considered as an unmanned wingman for fighters. Note that, according to the data presented last year, the device has already been tested with simulators of air — to-air missiles.
