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DRDO's DRDL has invited pvt sect for the development of towpreg technology for T700 & T800 class of carbon fibre, used in high-end aerospace applications. So far these had been imported from countries like Japan.
Potential vendors:
Novus Composites
Teaming Composites
Arka Defense
Although CATS-Warrior Phase-1 doesn’t have a radar, it will be shown carrying Astra.
We know from Bharat Shakti’s IAF-SDI video that it has showcased that an Astra fired from a Tejas, with its radar off, can be guided by a different Tejas with its radar on. Perfect for MUM-T
Spoiler Alert 🚨🚨🚨
HAL will unveil its updated CATS (Combat Air Teaming System) Portfolio during Aero India 2027. What to watch out for:
CATS-Warrior Phase-II:
A larger, never before seen variant of the CATS-W. It will feature a wide fuselage, which should provide a large internal weapons bay. Official HAL diagrams picture it carrying a BrahMos-NG. Powerplant and other details remain unknown.
Length: ~14.7m
Wingspan: ~11.0m
CATS-Warrior Phase-I:
While the CATS-W Phase-I has already been showcased, it will be seen carrying the Astra BVR missile for the first time, carried externally.
Length: 9.1m
Wingspan: 7.6m
CATS-Hunter:
The CATS-Hunter design has been completely revamped since it was last showcased. It is an airbreathing stealth cruise missile. Other details remain unknown.
Length: ~4.4m
Wingspan: ~3.8m
Diameter (folded): ~630mm
Even the hard point layout is the same as LCA AF Mk2. I’m assuming it has 11 hard points, with 2 under the intake (like LCA AF Mk2) not shown in the diagram
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The HLFT-42 used to be like a modern interpretation of the HF-24.
Now it looks like the Tejas Mk2 with horizontal stabilizers instead of canards, but bigger in size.
This new mid-wing configuration has undergon wind tunnel testing, and the new LERX are probably an outcome of that
HAL will showcase the updated design of the HLFT-42, Hindustan Lead-In Fighter Trainer during Aero India 2027.
As discussed before, the design has evolved into a mid-wing configuration with design similarities with the LCA AF Mk2, particularly the air intakes. The latest iteration features leading edge root extensions.
Approx. Dimensions:
Length: ~16.4m
Wingpan: ~9.0m
Production HTT-40 indeed looks much more refined.
Cc-@FighterPiloting
According to the MoD annual report, a flight trial of DRDO’s Supersonic Target (STAR) missile was “successfully carried out” in November 2025.
I suppose that, just like the SFDR tests, the initial flight trials might not have included actual ramjet ignition, just solid booster.
