HAL AMCA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft
AMCA render by Satwik Sadhukhan.jpg
Artist impression of HAL AMCA
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
First flight 2024 (expected)[2]
Introduction 2025-2026 (expected)
Status Under development
Primary users Indian Air Force (intended)
Indian Navy (intended)

The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is an Indian programme to develop fifth generation fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy which will also include sixth generation niche technologies.[3] The design of the aircraft is carried out by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), an aircraft design and development agency constituted under Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).[4] It is expected to be produced by a public-private joint venture between the DRDO, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and an Indian private company.[5] The programme has an aim to start production by 2028.[6] The development cost is estimated to be around ₹15,000 crore.[7]

AMCA will be a single-seat, twin-engine, stealth all-weather swing-role fighter aircraft. Two variants of AMCA will be produced in a phased production model. AMCA Mark 1 will come equipped with fifth generation technologies and Mark 2 will have the incremental sixth generation technology upgrades.[8][9][10] The AMCA which is intended to perform a multitude of missions including air superiority, ground-strike, Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and electronic warfare (EW) missions would be a potent replacement for the Sukhoi Su-30MKI air superiority fighter, which forms the backbone of the IAF fighter fleet.[11][12] The AMCA design is optimised for low radar cross section and supercruise capability.[13] Feasibility study on AMCA and the preliminary design stage have been completed, and the project entered the detailed design phase in February 2019.[14] A CAD model of the aircraft was shown at Aero India 2019. The first flight is expected to be by 2025-26 and serial production might begin by 2030.[15][7] The AMCA is currently the only fifth generation fighter under development in India, expected to get Ministry of Defence approval in 2022.[16] The aircraft, along with its naval variant, is intended to provide the bulk of the manned tactical airpower of the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy over the coming decades. AMCA would be the third supersonic jet of Indian origin after the HAL Marut and HAL Tejas.

Development[]

AMCA Program[]

A wind tunnel model of the HAL AMCA

The AMCA programme, earlier known as Medium Combat Aircraft (MCA) programme, was initiated to develop a twin engine fighter which incorporates stealth features to replace the main strike fighters of IAF viz Mirage 2000 and SEPECAT Jaguar.[17] In 2010, the MCA programme was rechristened as Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme and a detailed feasibility study was launched by ADA.[18][19] Although MCA was envisioned as a 15-tonne class fighter, the IAF's Air Staff requirements (ASR) for the AMCA, issued in April 2010 placed the now rechristened aircraft in the 25-tonne category.[20][21][22][23] In October 2010, the Government of India allocated ₹100 crore to prepare feasibility studies in 18 months.[24] In 2013, a review committee was formed, which on the feasibility study report recommended initiating the next phase of the programme.[25]

The Project Definition and Preliminary Design phase of AMCA began in 2013.[26] From November 2013 to December 2014, 9 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 and eventually by the end of 2014, configuration 3B-09 was chosen.[27] In 2015, basic design configuration of AMCA was finalized and a detailed AMCA programme report was submitted to the IAF, which after review gave concurrence to the programme.[28][29] The AMCA design after considerable refinements, has been accepted by IAF in 2016.[30] The Project definition phase was completed by 2017.[31][32] On 4 April 2018, Indian Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply to the Lok Sabha confirmed that the feasibility study for the AMCA programme has been completed and the programme would be completed in two phases viz, technology demonstration phase and full scale engineering development phase.[33] The Detailed Design Phase of AMCA has commenced in 2018, as part of the phase, a full scale model of AMCA will be developed for testing stealth features.[14][34] The ADA is expecting to get government approval for the AMCA programme by the second quarter of 2021.[35] ₹15,000 crore will be sanctioned for the program soon as per the latest reports.[36][37] The first prototype of AMCA is expected to be rolled out by 2025-26.[7]

The current plan is to procure 7 squadrons of AMCA initially, first two squadrons in Mark 1 configuration, equipped with an imported engine and the remaining five squadrons in Mark 2 configuration, equipped with an uprated indigenous engine.[38] The Mark 2 of AMCA would also incorporate sixth generation features and technologies to stay relevant in the coming decades.[39]

In 2015, 700 ADA employees were working on the project along with 2,000 employees of DRDO and 1,000 employees of HAL supported by over 500 employees of subcontractors of both Indian and foreign firms.

Work on various technologies was carried out by multiple establishments of DRDO, ADA and HAL which included stealth, engine, three-dimensional thrust vectoring, AESA radar, internal weapons bay, serpentine air intakes and all other major avionics.[40][41] According to Deputy Air Marshall Sinha "To provide adequate time to Indian industries to develop required capabilities, the armed forces will soon come out with a list of technologies of interest... underlining that these efforts are expected to synergise indigenous development of advanced aerospace systems."[42] In 2015, as part of the Indian MRCA competition, Saab AB made an offer for participating in the AMCA programme.[43]

HAL AMCA figher jet
A model of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft on display at Aero India 2021

In 2021, Mishra Dhatu Nigam (MIDHANI) started supplying titanium alloy for airframe construction. Till August 5, 2021 five slabs of titanium alloy were already supplied to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The production of the alloy was done through the same technology, first developed by MIDHANI for crew escape system of Gaganyaan programme. HAL is planning to rollout first AMCA Mark 1 from the assembly line by 2027 which will form the first phase of production. From the second phase, integration of sixth generation technologies by DRDO will take place on Mark 2 variant.[10]

In an interview to The Financial Express on 22 October 2021, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari confirmed that IAF is looking forward to AMCA aiming at sixth generation technologies.[44] IAF is planning for two squadron of Mark 1 and five squadron of Mark 2 variant. There is also plan for a light combat aircraft variant of AMCA in future.[45] Ongoing consultation happened on November 2021 between IAF, HAL, DRDO, ADA, Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Finance as final design of AMCA prototype is getting ready for approval from Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).[46]

Design[]

Overview[]

The AMCA is a twin-engine, stealth supersonic multi-role fighter designed for the IAF.[47] At present, the AMCA is planned as a fifth generation fighter but will integrate emerging, best of breed sixth generation technologies over time.[48] The AMCA would be the first fifth generation fighter to enter service with the Indian Air Force.[49][50]

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.[21] 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.[21] 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.[21] 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.[21] The flight control surfaces are controlled by a central management computer system. The AMCA will have some sixth generation characteristics such as an optionally manned, directed energy weapons, capable of controlling UCAVs and swarm drones.[51][52][53]

Stealth and radar signature[]

The AMCA design has inherent radar stealth, achieved through 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.[54]

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.[55][56] The AMCA has a distributed processing system employing fast processors and smart subsystems.[57] The AMCA will also have an integrated vehicle health monitoring system which works on sensor fusion.[58]

AMCA will be equipped with a larger and powerful variant of the Uttam AESA Radar which will use gallium nitride (GaN) technology.[59][60][61] It will be mounted on a mechanically steerable mount.[21] An onboard condition monitoring system is also planned to be included in the AMCA.[62]

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.[63][64]

Propulsion[]

The AMCA is to be powered by two afterburning turbofan engines mounted side-by-side in the fuselage, fed by Diverterless supersonic inlets (DSI). The initial plan was to equip an uprated Kaveri engine developed for Tejas, but Kaveri engine programme was shelved due to sub-optimal performance.[65] The AMCA Mark 1 will be powered by GE F414 afterburning turbofan engine,[66] while AMCA Mark 2 would be powered by either indigenous or joint venture (JV) engine of 110 kN thrust.[67][68] In 2015, ADA held a series of discussions with foreign engine manufacturers exploring the possibility of joint venture.[69][70]

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.[71]

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.[72][73] Directed energy weapons are also planned to be equipped on the AMCA.[74]

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[75]

General characteristics

  • Crew: One pilot
  • Length: 18 m (59 ft 1 in)
  • Height: 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)
  • Wing area: 39.9 m2 (429 sq ft)
  • Empty weight: 11,000 kg (24,251 lb) (estimated)
  • Gross weight: 18,000 kg (39,683 lb)
  • Max takeoff weight: 25,000[76] kg (55,116 lb) (estimated)
  • Fuel capacity: 6,500 kg (14,300 lb)
  • Payload: 7,000 kg (15,000 lb) ― 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) internal and 5,000 kg (11,000 lb) external stores[77]
  • Powerplant: 2 × Modified GE F414 (initial production)[78] afterburning turbofan

Performance

  • Maximum speed: Mach 2.15+ (2633.84 km/h)
    • Supercruise: Mach 1.82 (2229.58 km/h)
  • 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[]

  • Fifth-generation jet fighter

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. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  2. ^ "India's 5th Generation Fighter Jet 'AMCA' Under Speedy Development – Reports". The Eurasian Times. 25 July 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  3. ^ Kumar, KP Sanjeev (24 October 2020). "When Can Indian Air Force Deploy First 'Desi' 5th Gen Fighter Jet?". TheQuint. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  4. ^ "Defence Research and Development Organisation".
  5. ^ "A point for HAL Nashik to ponder: What after Sukhoi-30MKI fighters?". Business Standard. Retrieved 30 April 2021.
  6. ^ Kumar, KP Sanjeev (24 October 2020). "When Can Indian Air Force Deploy First 'Desi' 5th Gen Fighter Jet?". TheQuint. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  7. ^ a b c P, Rajat; Nov 22, it / TNN / Updated; 2021; Ist, 12:17. "AMCA Fighter Jet: Made-in-India stealth fighter project set to take off in 2022 | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "ADA-Advanced Medium Fighter Aircraft".
  9. ^ Pubby, Manu. "India likely to produce next generation fighter jets in a private sector-led joint venture". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  10. ^ a b Rao, Ch Sushil (5 August 2021). "Midhani supplies titanium alloy for medium combat jets' airframe". The Times of India. Retrieved 29 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ "ADA-Advanced Medium Fighter Aircraft".
  12. ^ "India Looks to Indigenous Fighters". AINonline. Retrieved 12 September 2018.
  13. ^ "Scientists face uphill task developing India's first 5th generation fighter". Bangalore Mirror. Bangalore Mirror Bureau. 12 February 2015.
  14. ^ a b "Aero India 2019: HAL-developed Advanced Medium Aicraft [sic] will be IAF's 1st option for fifth-gen fighter". Times of India. 23 February 2019.
  15. ^ "India plans to roll out fifth-generation fighters by 2024". THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS. Retrieved 5 February 2021.
  16. ^ P, Rajat; Nov 22, it / TNN / Updated; 2021; Ist, 12:17. "AMCA Fighter Jet: Made-in-India stealth fighter project set to take off in 2022 | India News - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 22 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ Rao, Radhakrishna (6 October 2008). "India reveals plan to develop indigenous medium fighter". Flight International. Archived from the original on 10 February 2009.
  18. ^ "The LCA Tejas Programme: Leading to Indigenous AMCA: Quo Vadis?". Indian Defence Review. 20 February 2019.
  19. ^ 30th Audit report ADA (PDF) (Report).
  20. ^ "India set to build Medium Combat Aircraft". Business Standard. 20 January 2013.
  21. ^ a b c d e f Abhijit Iyer-Mitra and Pushan Das. "The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft:A Technical Analysis" (PDF). Observer Research Foundation.
  22. ^ "India's Indigenous 5th-Gen Combat Plane to Boast Of Condition Monitoring Systems". Defence Now. Archived from the original on 10 December 2013. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  23. ^ "Login". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  24. ^ Y. Mallikarjun (21 November 2010). "Plans for Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 November 2010.
  25. ^ ADA 30th Annual report (PDF) (Report).
  26. ^ "A note on India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project". News 18. 27 December 2014.
  27. ^ 30th Audit report ADA (PDF) (Report).
  28. ^ "Development of indigenous AMCA on track". The Hindu. 20 February 2015.
  29. ^ 31st ADA Audit Report (PDF) (Report).
  30. ^ 31st ADA Audit Report (PDF) (Report).
  31. ^ 31st ADA Audit Report (PDF) (Report).
  32. ^ "AMCA, India's first stealth fighter, likely to be airborne before 2025". onmanorama. 19 February 2019.
  33. ^ "After Tejas, defence industry looks to 'Make In India' advanced medium combat aircraft". Finance Express. 4 April 2018.
  34. ^ "Indigenous light combat aircraft targeted by 2022". Hindustan Times. 23 August 2019. Retrieved 23 August 2019.
  35. ^ "Govt to soon give nod for indigenous stealth fighters". Hindustan Times. 17 March 2021.
  36. ^ "Govt to soon give nod for indigenous stealth fighters". Hindustan Times. 17 March 2021.
  37. ^ "AMCA and TEDBF: India's Two most fighter jet program set to go official". INDIAN DEFENCE RESEARCH WING. 26 March 2021.
  38. ^ "IAF plans to have 125 advanced combat jets". THE TRIBUNE. 8 October 2021.
  39. ^ "Govt to soon give nod for indigenous stealth fighters". Hindustan Times. 17 March 2021.
  40. ^ "OneIndia Exclusive: India's stealth fighter dream moves towards reality". www.oneindia.com. 14 February 2015.
  41. ^ "AMCA to be developed in 12 15 years–SP's MAI". spsmai.com. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  42. ^ "DEFENCE 2 LAST". Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  43. ^ "Reliance Defence buys Saab's stake in Pipavav Defence". Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  44. ^ 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". The Financial Express. Retrieved 22 October 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  45. ^ Jha, Manish Kumar. "Nowhere In The World Is Such A Commitment Of 450 Aircraft And This Depicts IAF's Plan For Capability Building: IAF Chief VR Chaudhari". BW Businessworld. Retrieved 1 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  46. ^ Siddiqui, Huma (22 November 2021). "India to get its own 5th Gen fighter! AMCA prototype to get approval next year". The Financial Express. Retrieved 23 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  47. ^ "ADA-Advanced Medium Fighter Aircraft".
  48. ^ "India's 5th-Gen Fighter Jet 'AMCA' Will Have 6th-Gen Technology – Indian Air Force". Eurasian Times. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  49. ^ "India Pulls out of Joint Stealth Fighter Project With Russia". The Diplomat. 13 April 2018.
  50. ^ "India plans to roll out fifth-generation fighters by 2024". New Indian Express. 5 February 2021.
  51. ^ "AMCA could fly undetected during dangerous missions". OnManorama. 5 February 2020. Retrieved 6 February 2020.
  52. ^ "India's 5th-Gen Fighter Jet 'AMCA' Will Have 6th-Gen Technology – Indian Air Force". Eurasian Times. 6 October 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
  53. ^ "We are calling AMCA 5th gen aircraft but it will come with 6th gen technologies:IAF Chief". INDIAN DEFENCE RESEARCH WING. 20 December 2019.
  54. ^ "New Delhi forges ahead with new naval fighter, AMCA". Flight Global. 9 February 2021.
  55. ^ "Air Chief Bhadauria's focus on homegrown AMCA shows IAF learnt nothing from Tejas failure". The Print. 11 October 2019.
  56. ^ "HAL AMCA: Why India Needs Its Own Lockheed-Martin To Develop 5th-Gen, Stealth Fighter Aircraft?". EurAsian Times. 12 April 2021.
  57. ^ Karnozov, Vladimir (13 June 2013). "Indian 'Home-Grown' AMCA, An Alternative To FGFA". AIN Online. Retrieved 5 December 2013.
  58. ^ "Aero India: Indigenous stealth fighter to initially use US engines". The Week. 20 February 2019.
  59. ^ "Next Generation Radar for AMCA". Alpha Defence. 25 April 2021.
  60. ^ "What we Know of Growing Uttam AESA Radar family". INDIAN DEFENCE RESEARCH WING. 15 May 2021.
  61. ^ "IAF Backs Upscaled UTTAM AESA Radar for Su-30 MKI Fleet". INDIAN DEFENCE RESEARCH WING. 8 October 2021.
  62. ^ S. Anandan (19 May 2016). "DRDO developing onboard equipment monitoring system for submarines". The Hindu. Retrieved 17 November 2017.
  63. ^ "Aero India 2021: Futuristic Cockpit Simulator a big draw at airshow". Deccan Herald. 5 February 2021.
  64. ^ "HAL AMCA: Why India Needs Its Own Lockheed-Martin To Develop 5th-Gen, Stealth Fighter Aircraft?". EurAsian Times. 12 April 2021.
  65. ^ "OneIndia Exclusive: DRDO to abandon indigenous fighter jet engine Kaveri project". One India. 11 January 2015.
  66. ^ Peri, Dinakar (12 September 2021). "LCA-Mk2 to roll out next year, first flight in 2023, says scientist". The Hindu (in en-IN). ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 14 September 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  67. ^ "Aero India: Indigenous stealth fighter to initially use US engines". The Week. 20 February 2019.
  68. ^ "Tejas done, focus on three other fighter jets: two for IAF, one Navy". The Indian Express. 5 February 2021.
  69. ^ SP's-Aviation (7 March 2015). "Russia to partner in AMCA Technologies". sps-aviation.com.
  70. ^ Peri, Dinakar (20 February 2015). "Development of indigenous AMCA on track". The Hindu.
  71. ^ Punj, Vivek (29 November 2021). "HAL to manufacture first four light utility helicopters by 2022-23: Centre". Mint. Retrieved 30 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  72. ^ Perrett, Bradley; Menon, Jay (23 February 2017). "India's AMCA Fighter Targets Mid-2020s First Flight". Aerospace Daily & Defense Report. Aviation Week. Retrieved 16 November 2017.(registration required)
  73. ^ "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.
  74. ^ Pubby, Manu. "India looks at a tight deadline to develop next generation fighter jets". The Economic Times. Retrieved 6 October 2020.
  75. ^ 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.
  76. ^ "TEDBF will be in the same class as Mig 29k and Rafale M : ADA". INDIAN DEFENCE RESEARCH WING. 30 November 2019.
  77. ^ Peri, Dinakar (12 September 2021). "LCA-Mk2 to roll out next year, first flight in 2023, says scientist". The Hindu. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
  78. ^ "Aero India: Indigenous stealth fighter to initially use US engines". The Week. 20 February 2019.
  79. ^ M, Tushar (19 August 2021). "Bharat Dynamics, MBDA missiles deal to help indigenous programs in India". Global Data. Retrieved 25 August 2021.
  80. ^ Krishnan M, Anantha (19 February 2015). "OneIndia Exclusive: Hypersonic, next-gen missiles on BrahMos' wishlist: Mishra". OneIndia.

External links[]

Flight videos and photos
Retrieved from ""