Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft
AMCA model displayed at the Aero India 2021
Role Stealth multirole fighter
National origin India
Manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Design group Aeronautical Development Agency
Aircraft Research and Design Centre (HAL)[1]
Defence Research and Development Organisation
Status In development[2]
Primary users Indian Air Force (intended)
Indian Navy (intended)

The HAL Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is an Indian programme to develop a fifth-generation stealth, multirole combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy which will also include sixth-generation technologies.[3] The design of the aircraft is carried out by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is expected to be produced by a public-private joint venture between the DRDO, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and an Indian private company.[4] The development cost is estimated to be around ₹15,000 crore (~$2 billion).[5]

As of February 2023, DRDO has completed design of AMCA and is waiting for "Critical Design Review'", which according to The Indian Express, is a technical review to ensure that the system of an aircraft can proceed into fabrication, demonstration and test and can meet performance requirements.[6]

AMCA will be a single-seat, twin-engine aircraft. The AMCA Mark 1 will come equipped with 5.5 generation technologies and Mark 2 will have the incremental 6th generation technology upgrades.[7][8][9] The AMCA is intended to perform a multitude of missions including Air supremacy, Ground-Strike, Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and Electronic Warfare (EW) missions. It is intended to be a potent replacement for the Sukhoi Su-30MKI air superiority fighter, which forms the backbone of the IAF fighter fleet.[7][10]

The AMCA design is optimised for low radar cross section and supercruise capability.[11][12] Feasibility study on AMCA and the preliminary design stage have been completed, and the project entered the detailed design phase in February 2019.[13] The AMCA is currently the only 5th generation fighter under development in India.[14]

Some analysts have questioned the feasibility of India's ability to independently develop a fifth generation fighter aircraft as India lacks the industrial base and technical capabilities to do so.[15][16] The analysts note that India also lacks a robust military industrial base to manufacture the aircraft in large numbers,[16] asserting instead that India should either elicit foreign collaboration[17] or join a multi-national fighter program such as the European FCAS which would benefit the development of the AMCA project.[15]

Development

AMCA Program

A wind tunnel model of the HAL AMCA

The AMCA programme, earlier known as Medium Combat Aircraft (MCA) programme, is an Indian programme to develop a fifth-generation fighter. It began as a parallel programme to the Indo-Russia Sukhoi/HAL FGFA.[18] The AMCA programme was launched in 2010.[19] Although envisioned as a 20-tonne class fighter earlier,[18] now AMCA is 25-tonne class fighter.[20] A feasibility study was launched in October 2010,[21] followed by Project Definition and Preliminary Design phase in 2013.[22] From November 2013 to December 2014, 9 design configurations of AMCA, starting from 3B-01 to 3B-09, were studied using CAD, low-speed - high-speed wind tunnel testing, and radar cross section (RCS) testing. By the end of 2014, configuration 3B-09 was chosen.[23] In 2015, the basic design configuration of AMCA was finalized,[24] and has been accepted by IAF in 2016.[25] As of October 2022, the AMCA is yet to get Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approval, which is essential for prototype development. According to Dr A.K. Ghosh, project director of AMCA, "Once the project sanction is received, the prototype can be rolled out in three years and the first flight in one to one and (a) half years after that".[20][26]

The IAF plan to procure at least 125 AMCA in Mark-1 and Mark-2 configurations.[27] The Mark 2 of AMCA is expected to have a more powerful engine,[20] sixth-generation features and technologies to stay relevant in the coming decades.[28]

Sixth-generation technologies

In an interview given in 2020, the then Air force Chief R. K. S. Bhadauria stated that "The planning process is already underway for combat systems like optionally manned sixth generation technologies, smart wingman concept, swarm drones, long persistent HALE (High-Altitude Long Endurance) platforms and hypersonic weapons, among others.[29] He also added that it is imperative to incorporate such advanced technologies to keep AMCA relevant.[30] It is also reaffirmed by IAF's current chief Vivek Ram Chaudhari.[31]

Design

Overview

The AMCA is a twin-engine, stealth supersonic multi-role fighter designed for the IAF.[7] At present, the AMCA is planned as a fifth generation fighter but will integrate emerging, best of breed sixth generation technologies over time.[30] The AMCA would be the first fifth generation fighter to enter service with the Indian Air Force.[32][33]

The AMCA is designed with shoulder mounted diamond shaped trapezoidal wings, a profile with substantial area-ruling to reduce drag at transonic speeds, and a stabilator V-tail with large fuselage mounted tail-wing.[34] Flight control surfaces include leading and trailing-edge flaps, ailerons, rudders on the canted vertical stabilizers, and all-moving tailplanes; these surfaces also serve as air brakes. The cockpit features a single seat configuration which is placed high, near the air intakes and wings of the aircraft to provide good visibility to the pilot with a single bubble canopy.[34] A leading-edge root extension (LERX), which is a small fillet, is situated on the front section of the intake and wings of the aircraft. It has a typically roughly rectangular shape, running forward from the leading edge of the wing root to a point along the fuselage.[34] The aircraft features a tricycle landing gear configuration. The weapons bay is placed on the underside of the fuselage between the nose and main landing gear. The AMCA is designed to produce a very small radar cross-section, to accomplish this it features "S-shaped" air-intakes to reduce radar exposure to the fan blade which increases stealth, uses an internal weapons bay and features the use of composites and other materials.[34] The flight control surfaces are controlled by a central management computer system. The AMCA will have some sixth generation characteristics such as an optionally crewed, directed energy weapons, capable of controlling UCAVs and swarm drones.[35][30]

Stealth and radar signature

The AMCA design has inherent radar stealth, achieved through twin-tail layout,[19] platform edge alignment and serration, body conformal antenna and low intercept radar, diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) with serpentine ducts which conceal engine fan blades, internal weapons bay and extensive use of composites in airframe.[19] According to Janes Information Services quoting ADA, the airframe of AMCA will have 38–40% composite. As of October 2022, designers are still in the process of refining the radar deflection capability of AMCA.[36] It will also use radar-absorbent materials wherever necessary.[37]

Sensors and avionics

The AMCA is expected to have distributed passive sensors with Artificial intelligence (AI) assisted multi-sensor data fusion to increase situational awareness and to work in tandem with the advanced electronic warfare (EW) suite onboard AMCA.[38][39] The AMCA has a distributed processing system employing fast processors and smart subsystems.[40] The AMCA will also have an integrated vehicle health monitoring system which works on sensor fusion.[41]

AMCA will be equipped with a larger and powerful variant of the Uttam AESA Radar which will use gallium nitride (GaN) technology.[42] It will be mounted on a mechanically steerable mount.[34] An onboard condition monitoring system is also planned to be included in the AMCA.[43] The platform will be equipped with a quadruple digital fly-by-optics control system using fibre optic cables to reduce weight, increase the rate of data transfer and reduce electromagnetic interference.[37]

Cockpit

The AMCA will have a glass cockpit equipped with a wide panoramic touchscreen display for enhanced man-machine interaction, a multi function display (MFD) placed in portrait orientation and a wide-angle holographic head-up display (HUD). The AMCA will have hands-on throttle-and-stick (HOTAS) arrangement with right hand on stick and left hand on throttle settings to ease the pilot workload.[44][39]

Propulsion

The AMCA is to be powered by two afterburning turbofan engines. The plan is to equip General Electric F414 afterburning turbofan engine on AMCA Mark-1,[45] while a more powerful joint venture (JV) engine is planned for AMCA Mark-2.[41][46]

As per Government statement in Rajya Sabha during Winter Session 2021, there is a proposal to jointly develop engine for AMCA with the help of foreign partner using the know how from Kaveri engine development programme.[47]

On 15 July 2023, India and France agreed to collaborate for the joint development of a combat aircraft engine which would power the Mark-2 variant of AMCA as part of the Horizon 2047 document for India-France strategic partnership. A roadmap for this project will be prepared between French firm Safran and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) before the end of 2023.[48]

On 18 November 2023, Dr. Samir V. Kamat of DRDO announced that the United States has provided the necessary permits, opening the door for GE Aerospace and HAL to jointly produce the General Electric F414 engine in India for HAL Tejas Mark 2 and for the first two squadrons of AMCA.[49]

Armament

The AMCA features an internal weapons bay for carrying missiles and standoff precision guided munitions in stealthy configuration, while also has provision for external hardpoints for carrying ordinance externally for non-stealthy missions.[50][51] Directed energy weapons are also planned to be equipped on the AMCA.[52]

Operators

 India

Indian Air Force – 7 squadrons (planned)[53]

Specifications (projected)

Specifications can vary as the aircraft is still in development. All the informations are based on available non-official sources - approximate and preliminary.

Data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft[54]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 17.6 m (57 ft 9 in)
  • Wingspan: 11.13 m (36 ft 6 in)
  • Height: 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in)
  • Wing area: 55 m2 (590 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 12,000 kg (26,455 lb) (estimated)
  • Gross weight: 18,000 kg (39,683 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 25,000 kg (55,116 lb) (estimated)
  • Fuel capacity: 6,500 kg (14,300 lb)
  • Payload: 6,500 kg (14,300 lb) ― 1,500 kg (3,300 lb) internal and 5,000 kg (11,000 lb) external stores[55]
  • Powerplant: 2 × Modified GE F414 (initial production)[56] afterburning turbofan

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 2,600 km/h (1,600 mph, 1,400 kn)
  • Maximum speed: Mach 2.15
  • Range: 3,240 km (2,010 mi, 1,750 nmi)
  • Combat range: 1,620 km (1,010 mi, 870 nmi)
  • Ferry range: 5,324 km (3,308 mi, 2,875 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 20,000 m (65,000 ft)

Armament

Avionics

See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

Notes

    References

    1. ↑ M, Anantha Krishnan (6 August 2020). "Upgraded Tejas fighter, touted as 'real desi game-changer', to fly in 2022-23". The Week. Archived from the original on 7 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
    2. ↑ "Based on the design by ADA & DRDO, the fabrication of Leading edge of AMCA initiated at HAL with special material for 5th gen design. The unit will undergo structural & other testing before putting it on the first prototype. An imp milestone for AMCA". DRDO. 9 March 2022. Archived from the original on 9 March 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2022 – via Twitter.
    3. ↑ Kumar, KP Sanjeev (24 October 2020). "When Can Indian Air Force Deploy First 'Desi' 5th Gen Fighter Jet?". TheQuint. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
    4. ↑ Shukla, Ajai (30 April 2021). "A point for HAL Nashik to ponder: What after Sukhoi-30MKI fighters?". Business Standard. Archived from the original on 30 April 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
    5. ↑ P, Rajat (22 November 2021). "AMCA Fighter Jet: Made-in-India stealth fighter project set to take off in 2022". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
    6. ↑ Thakur, Aksheev (15 February 2023). "AMCA project reaches Critical Design Review, DRDO seeks sanctioning of the project". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
    7. 1 2 3 "ADA-Advanced Medium Fighter Aircraft". Archived from the original on 16 April 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
    8. ↑ Pubby, Manu. "India likely to produce next generation fighter jets in a private sector-led joint venture". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 2 October 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
    9. ↑ Rao, Ch Sushil (5 August 2021). "Midhani supplies titanium alloy for medium combat jets' airframe". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
    10. ↑ Mathews, Neelam (12 September 2018). "India Looks to Indigenous Fighters". AINonline. Archived from the original on 13 September 2018. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
    11. ↑ "Scientists face uphill task developing India's first 5th generation fighter". Bangalore Mirror. 12 February 2015. Archived from the original on 13 November 2017. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
    12. ↑ Jha, Manish Kumar (17 November 2021). "With Certainty, LCA MK 2 Aircraft Is Slated To Enter Production By 2027 And AMCA By 2035--HAL CMD R. Madhavan". BW Businessworld. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
    13. ↑ Kumar, Chetan (23 February 2019). "Aero India 2019: HAL-developed Advanced Medium Aicraft [sic] will be IAF's 1st option for fifth-gen fighter". Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
    14. ↑ Pandit, Rajat (22 November 2021). "AMCA Fighter Jet: Made-in-India stealth fighter project set to take off in 2022". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 22 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
    15. 1 2 Roy-Chaudhury, Shantanu (14 May 2020). "India and the Sixth-Generation Fighter Aircraft Programme". Salute. Archived from the original on 1 January 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
    16. 1 2 Bhatia, Rahul (22 August 2022). "India Needs to Fix Its Indigenous Fighter Before Building Stealth Aircraft". Carnegie India. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
    17. ↑ Thapar, Vishal (25 November 2022). "IAF Chief Calls For Foreign Collaborations On Futuristic Fighter Jet Programme". Business World. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
    18. 1 2 Rao, Radhakrishna (6 October 2008). "India reveals plan to develop indigenous medium fighter". Flight International. Archived from the original on 10 February 2009.
    19. 1 2 3 Chandra, Atul (9 February 2021). "New Delhi forges ahead with new naval fighter, AMCA". Flight Global. Archived from the original on 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
    20. 1 2 3 Peri, Dinakar (28 October 2022). "Fifth gen fighter AMCA can be rolled out in three years after project sanction: scientists". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 28 October 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    21. ↑ Y. Mallikarjun (21 November 2010). "Plans for Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010.
    22. ↑ Jha, Saurav (27 December 2014). "A note on India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project". News 18. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
    23. ↑ 30th Audit report ADA (PDF) (Report).
    24. ↑ Peri, Dinakar (20 February 2015). "Development of indigenous AMCA on track". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 20 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
    25. ↑ 31st ADA Audit Report (PDF) (Report).
    26. ↑ Kadidal, Akhil (19 October 2022). "Defexpo 2022: AMCA ready to be rolled out in three years if approved". Janes.com. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    27. ↑ "IAF plans to have 125 advanced combat jets". THE TRIBUNE. 8 October 2021. Archived from the original on 20 November 2021. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
    28. ↑ Singh, Rahul (17 March 2021). "Govt to soon give nod for indigenous stealth fighters". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 31 May 2021. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
    29. ↑ Krishnan M, Anantha (8 October 2020). "Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria interview: 'Indigenisation essential for strategic development'". www.onmanorama.com. Archived from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    30. 1 2 3 "India's 5th-Gen Fighter Jet 'AMCA' Will Have 6th-Gen Technology – Indian Air Force". Eurasian Times. 6 October 2020. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
    31. ↑ Siddiqui, Huma (22 October 2021). "Exclusive- Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari to FE Online: Ready for two-front war; IAF is aiming for self reliance in all spheres". Financialexpress. Archived from the original on 22 October 2021. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
    32. ↑ Gady, Franz-Stefan (13 April 2018). "India Pulls out of Joint Stealth Fighter Project With Russia". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on 26 April 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
    33. ↑ Singh, Mayank (5 February 2021). "India plans to roll out fifth-generation fighters by 2024". New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
    34. 1 2 3 4 5 Iyer-Mitra, Abhijit; Das, Pushan. "The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft:A Technical Analysis" (PDF). Observer Research Foundation. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2016.
    35. ↑ Krishnan M, Anantha (5 February 2020). "AMCA could fly undetected during dangerous missions". Onmanorama. Archived from the original on 6 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
    36. ↑ Kadidal, Akhil (19 October 2022). "Defexpo 2022: AMCA ready to be rolled out in three years if approved". Janes. Archived from the original on 19 October 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
    37. 1 2 Sinha, Amartya (16 May 2023). "Indigenous combat jets and Kaveri turbofan engine: All About IAF's new aerospace plan". India Today. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
    38. ↑ Iyer-Mitra, Abhijit (11 October 2019). "Air Chief Bhadauria's focus on homegrown AMCA shows IAF learnt nothing from Tejas failure". The Print. Archived from the original on 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
    39. 1 2 Dar, Younis (12 April 2021). "HAL AMCA: Why India Needs Its Own Lockheed-Martin To Develop 5th-Gen, Stealth Fighter Aircraft?". EurAsian Times. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
    40. ↑ Karnozov, Vladimir (13 June 2013). "Indian 'Home-Grown' AMCA, An Alternative To FGFA". AIN Online. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
    41. 1 2 Krishnan M, Anantha (20 February 2019). "Aero India: Indigenous stealth fighter to initially use US engines". The Week. Archived from the original on 20 February 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
    42. ↑ "Next Generation Radar for AMCA". Alpha Defence. 25 April 2021. Archived from the original on 6 June 2021. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
    43. ↑ S. Anandan (19 May 2016). "DRDO developing onboard equipment monitoring system for submarines". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 5 July 2014. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
    44. ↑ Kappan, Rasheed (5 February 2021). "Aero India 2021: Futuristic Cockpit Simulator a big draw at airshow". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
    45. ↑ Peri, Dinakar (12 September 2021). "LCA-Mk2 to roll out next year, first flight in 2023, says scientist". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
    46. ↑ Kaushik, Krishn (5 February 2021). "Tejas done, focus on three other fighter jets: two for IAF, one Navy". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 5 February 2021. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
    47. ↑ Punj, Vivek (29 November 2021). "HAL to manufacture first four light utility helicopters by 2022-23: Centre". Mint. Archived from the original on 30 March 2023. Retrieved 30 November 2021.
    48. ↑ Philip, Snehesh Alex (15 July 2023). "India, France to jointy develop engine to power AMCA fighter". THE PRINT.
    49. ↑ "All US clearances received: HAL, GE to produce jet engines for LCA Mark2, AMCA fighter jets in India". The Economic Times. 18 November 2023. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
    50. ↑ Perrett, Bradley; Menon, Jay (23 February 2017). "India's AMCA Fighter Targets Mid-2020s First Flight". Aerospace Daily & Defense Report. Aviation Week. Archived from the original on 16 November 2017. Retrieved 16 November 2017.(registration required)
    51. ↑ "Medium Combat Aircraft". MCA Handouts at AI-09. Aeronautical Development Agency. 13 February 2009. Archived from the original on 23 October 2009. Retrieved 30 September 2009.
    52. ↑ Pubby, Manu. "India looks at a tight deadline to develop next generation fighter jets". The Economic Times. Archived from the original on 6 October 2020. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
    53. ↑ "IAF plans to induct AMCA, LCA along with 114 multirole fighters under Make in India : IAF Chief". ANI News. 17 July 2022. Archived from the original on 5 October 2022. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
    54. ↑ Jackson, Paul; Peacock, Lindsay; Bushell, Susan; Willis, David; Winchester, Jim, eds. (2016–2017). "India". IHS Jane's All the World's Aircraft: Development & Production. Couldson. p. 297. ISBN 978-0710631770.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
    55. ↑ Peri, Dinakar (12 September 2021). "LCA-Mk2 to roll out next year, first flight in 2023, says scientist". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 September 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
    56. ↑ "Aero India: Indigenous stealth fighter to initially use US engines". The Week. 20 February 2019. Archived from the original on 20 February 2019. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
    57. ↑ M, Tushar (19 August 2021). "Bharat Dynamics, MBDA missiles deal to help indigenous programs in India". Global Data. Archived from the original on 25 August 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
    58. ↑ Krishnan M, Anantha (19 February 2015). "OneIndia Exclusive: Hypersonic, next-gen missiles on BrahMos' wishlist: Mishra". OneIndia. Archived from the original on 4 December 2022. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
    Wikimedia Commons has media related to HAL AMCA.
    Flight videos and photos
    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.