Ajay Banerjee
Tribune News Service
Bengaluru, February 4
Public sector giant Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) on Thursday announced a technological leap by showcasing a programme to make an unmanned fighter jet.
It will be part of a pack of manned jets and will have the capability to go deep into enemy territory and hit the target.
Rs400-cr project
- The unmanned fighter jet will be controlled by pilots in another jet flying about 700 km behind
- The unmanned jet will carry a set of missiles for air as well as ground attack
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Called “manned-unmanned” teaming, this is the latest concept and technology in aerial warfare. Under the technology, termed combined air teaming system (CATS), an unmanned fighter jet will be controlled by pilots in another jet flying a few hundred kilometres behind.
The unmanned jet will carry a set of missiles for air as well as ground attack.
The HAL team, lead by Chairman and Managing Director R Madhavan, briefed the media on the programme at the Aero India here, saying, “We have invested Rs 400 crore on the project and will be ready to fly the jet in 4-5 years.” So far it is being “mated” with Tejas and Jaguar.
An HAL team member, who showed The Tribune a full-scale model on display, said this low-cost autonomous jet would partner manned aircraft to increase air combat power.