CATS Infinity is a solar-powered, High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) component of India’s Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) family, jointly developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), DRDO and Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research & Technologies, unifying what were originally two separately pursued HAPS-class efforts (NAL’s own high-altitude platform work and NewSpace Research’s independent programme) into a single combined CATS Infinity line.[1]
CATS Infinity is designed to function as a persistent, ultra-long-endurance data-link relay and surveillance node supporting manned-unmanned teaming operations across the CATS ecosystem. The airframe weighs around 500 kg with a wingspan of roughly 50 m, powered by multiple ultra-lightweight electric motors giving cruise speeds of 90–100 km/h.[1]
As a solar-electric HAPS, CATS Infinity is designed for extreme endurance — up to approximately three months aloft at a stratospheric cruising altitude of around 70,000 ft (21,000 m), well above conventional air traffic and most air-defence engagement envelopes. It carries a terrain-mapping camera and sensor payload intended for real-time cueing, hyperspectral-enhanced reconnaissance, and deep-strike mission support over denied or contested territory.[1]
A full-scale demonstrator completed a successful engine ground run in January 2025, a key milestone ahead of the type’s planned first flight in 2026.[1]
| Type | Solar-electric High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) |
| Developers | HAL, NAL, DRDO, NewSpace Research & Technologies (merged programme) |
| Weight | ~500 kg |
| Wingspan | ~50 m |
| Propulsion | Multiple ultra-lightweight electric motors, solar-powered |
| Cruise speed | 90–100 km/h |
| Endurance | Up to ~3 months |
| Cruise altitude | ~70,000 ft (21,000 m) |
| Role | Data-link relay, persistent surveillance/reconnaissance node for CATS network |
| Status (2026) | Full-scale demonstrator ground-run complete (Jan 2025); first flight planned 2026 |