Showing posts with label AMCA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AMCA. Show all posts
Thursday, August 15, 2019
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
AMCA, India’s stealth fighter picks up momentum
By Anantha Krishnan M
Bengaluru: The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project of India has gone deep into the detail design phase now. Along with Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), hundreds of scientists spread across at least 20 Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) labs are now engrossed in critical work to find solutions to a number of gen-next technologies that need to be proven.
With the Project Definition Phase (PDP) getting over in 2017, Onmanorama can confirm that scientists have already walked some distance designing the AMCA, India’s stealth fighter.
ADA, the designers of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), is spearheading the AMCA mission.
The AMCA will be propelled by a GE-414 engine with a thrust of 90 kN and this will be an interim step by the makers till a higher thrust engine of 110 kN is finalised. The GE-414, set to power Tejas Mk-II, will power AMCA as well, till India develops a 110 kN engine possibly in collaboration with a foreign partner.
The current plan is to fly AMCA with GE-414 engine for the first six-seven years, what the designers now term as an ‘interim engine’ for India’s 5th generation stealth platform.
While the design phase has already been sanctioned to commence activities, the final approval for AMCA from the government (Cabinet Committee of Security) is in process.
The plan is to build four prototypes and fly the first one before 2025, which is seven years from now.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is said to be working out the exact numbers for this future fighter, while the AMCA Directorate at ADA is ensuring a robust foundation for this big ticket desi project.
Full report, here: https://bit.ly/2GR8Fly
Sunday, May 28, 2017
Challakere ATR will be home for gen-next fighters, UCAVs
By Anantha Krishnan M
@Mathrubhumi
Challakere, May 28: The new address for testing India’s future manned and unmanned platforms will be: ATR, Co/DRDO, Voru Kaval village, Challakere taluka, Chitradurga District, Karnataka. From now on, fighter jets and unmanned platforms will jettison over the Challakere skies, undertaking missions to boost India’s military preparedness.
Around 250-plus km from Bengaluru, the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) inaugurated today, will be soon home for many ongoing and future aeronautical projects of DRDO.
With Indian Space Research Organisation, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Indian Institute of Science too landing at Challakere, the togetherness of aerospace minds at close proximity augurs well for India’s future.
Read full report here: http://bit.ly/2ruTgR1
Saturday, February 14, 2015
#PlaneCarnival | India’s stealth fighter dream moves towards reality | #AeroIndia2015
By Dr Anantha Krishnan M
Bengaluru, Feb 14: India’s valiant attempt in developing a gen-next stealth fighter seems to be gathering some momentum with the scientists from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) claiming that the Project Definition Phase (PDP) will be over within a year.
While some of the stealth features remain as a ‘beyond-visual-technology’ for India, even as this report is being put together, the DRDO officials are convinced that embedding global players and increasing the private participation could well be the breakthrough in realizing their dreams. Super-cruise, stealth and thrust vectoring are critical features DRDO would need to thrash out in the process.
While Aero India is normally seen as a ‘carnival of claims,’ the DRDO top brass have put up a confident argument that the lessons learned from developing a four-and-a-half-generation fighter (Tejas) will act as a their guiding force while entering into the hitherto unknown 5th generation terrain.
* AMCA Directorate takes confident shape
* Feasibility projects have been completed
* Nine prototypes planned
* Talks on the project during Aero India
* AMCA to be loaded with gen-next features
* Crucial capabilities
Read the full report on OneIndia, here: http://bit.ly/1zCbc3Y
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Aero India is the one of the finest air shows in the world: Major | Removing old mindset key for IAF
By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service
Bangalore: Former Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal (retd) Fali Major is excited that in the next couple of days, he will be meeting all his friends, ex-colleagues and the best plane people from all around the world. Away from the chaos of Bangalore city, the former chief of Indian Air Force (IAF) is now settled near Devanahalli. City Express caught up with Major on the eve of Aero India-2013, to read the mind of a man who has been there, done that. Excerpts:
On Aero India: It has become one of the finest air shows in the world. We are somewhere very close to Farnborough, with more business and more exhibits. But, to me the most sought-after shows were during 2007, 2009 and 2011. I am not sure what kind of business activities will take place during this time. The deals are done. But, the Indian aviation industry has a huge opportunity, thanks to the offset contracts it will have with the OEMs. This is the time we will have to support the MSMEs and SMEs. The organizers must encourage small-time players to exhibit the products. They should be given an opportunity. There is huge talent out there with Bangalore being the hub of aerospace.
On two air shows: I feel we should take a re-look at having two air shows. Why should we have one for civil aviation in Hyderabad and then for military in Bangalore? No country has two air shows – be it in Farnborough, Dubai or Singapore. Can you tell me which country has two air shows? If we make these shows together, then we will able to synergize our energies in a better way. It will also give an opportunity for people to see the advancements in ATC, airport services and ground-handling. I also feel that the air show should be the job of the India government and not just one department or organization.
On Surya Kirans: I will certainly miss the SKAT (Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team) at the show, like anyone else. This team has definitely gifted a great brand image to the Indian Air Force. I hope by 2015, during the next air show, we will have a new aerobatic team.
On Sarangs: Ideally the formation chopper team should have a light helicopter. May be the Light Utility Helicopters we are getting now, should be tried out. When the Light Combat Helicopter matures, maybe we can try it too for aerobatic display. But, I am taking nothing away from the Sarangs. They are a fine unit.
The best air show: To me, the most unforgettable air show was in 2007. We had almost close to 20 Air Chiefs of various countries participating for the first time. I was the Chief-designate then. It was one of the finest moments for me as all of them were very impressed with the show. The most-sought-after shows were in 2007, 2009 and 2011. The IAF modernization had reached its zenith during these shows.
On IAF modernization: The IAF, more or less got everything, it had asked for, except the LCAs, IJTs, Dhruvs and the like. The latest addition of IAF assets, including the modern fighters, transport planes, helicopters and trainers, will take care of the needs of the IAF for the next 30 years. May be the weapons and air-defence systems, upgrades are still pending. The IAF modernization was probably one of the most planned ones. We had a long term plan for IAF. Today, the challenge for IAF is to manage old and new systems (flying machines). You will have to change the mindset and it is happening. Removing old mindset will take time.
On LCA-Tejas: There will be delays, if two separate agencies (HAL and ADA) with different philosophies are working on one programme. I am looking forward to Tejas Mk-II with new engine.
On Dhruv & LCH: Dhruv is a great chopper in its own class. But, the biggest problem of Dhruv is its product support. Let’s wait and see what LCH will eventually look like, with its weapon systems.
On Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT): If we get sufficient quantities of Pilatus trainer and Hawks, then I think we will not have space for anything else. But, if HAL can deliver the IJTs, matching the specifications of IAF, then it will be a different story.
On HAL: I feel, HAL should have a dedicated R&D unit. Tell me one major aerospace industry in the world which doesn’t have a robust R&D department. The R&D wing of HAL should have highly-qualified people from various disciplines, especially aerospace designers and engineers.
On Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA): With the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) in pipeline, the need for AMCA is debatable.
Copyright@City Express, The New Indian Express
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Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Friday, February 1, 2013
EXPRESS EXCLUSIVE | India's AMCA will be studded with new-age technologies | Silent R&D work going on in DRDO, CSIR, IIT & private labs
 |
| The AMCA scaled-down (1:8) model to be displayed at Aero India. |
By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service
Bangalore: Scientists and aerospace designers working on India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) stealth programme are excited at the prospects of delivering a plane studded with gen-next technologies. Sources confirm to Express that silent R&D work has been going on in multiple centers of Defence Research and Development Organisation, Indian Institute of Technology, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and select private industries.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), spearheading the AMCA mission, are ready with a scaled-down model (1:8) to be put up during Aero India, giving the world a first-time peek into the shape of things lined for the future. The AMCA’s weapon menu is being packed with BVR (Beyond Visual Range) missile and other precision-guided bombs. The internal bay has adequate space to accommodate enough weapons, promising high-speed release. It will have the required maneuver, climb and acceleration capabilities to engage the enemy in a close combat.
The aircraft will have adequate un-refueled range on its internal fuel alone (the capacity to carry more fuel), thereby enabling it to cover theaters that are significant from the tactical point of view. “Internal carriage of a mix of air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons will enable the aircraft to swing the role in stealth mode if required. A substantial carriage capability on its external hard points will allow the aircraft to carry out regular missions of conventional fighters in later phases of a campaign including maritime operations,” sources said.
The critical stealth technologies that are currently being developed include: radar absorbing structures and paints, body conformal antennae with shared aperture, flush air data sensors and frequency selective surface (FSS) radome. “The serpentine intake promises very less signature throwing to enemy radars. The aircraft can penetrate deep into enemy territory without being detected,” sources claimed.
THE AMCA MENU: Stealth | Internal weapon bay | Serpentine air intake | Super-cruise | Super-maneuverability and thrust vectoring | Advanced avionics based on IMA (Integrated Modular Architecture) | Pilot associate to reduce pilot workload | New generation display systems with touch panels | Advanced sensors like AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar and IRST (Infra Red Search and Track) | Net-Centric Warfare capability | Comprehensive EW (Electronic Warfare) suite comprising RWR (Radar Warning Receiver), SPJ (Self Protection Jammer) and MAWS (Missile Approach Warning System) | Precision weapons. (Concluded. Part-1 here.)
Copyright@The New Indian Express
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Thursday, January 31, 2013
EXPRESS EXCLUSIVE | India’s stealth fighter dream takes shape in Bangalore | AMCA configuration in final stages | Catch the 1:8 scale model at Aero India
The CAD images of India’s stealth fighter AMCA.
By Anantha Krishnan M
Express News Service
Bangalore: Twelve years after India finally shown the courage to take a home-grown combat fighter for its maiden flight in Bangalore, scientists at the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in Vimanapura, near Old Airport, are ready to unleash the next big desi dream called, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Military sources confirm to Express that the configuration of AMCA has reached the final stages. At the biennial carnival of the flying machines, set to begin at Yelahanka Air Force Station next week, India will for the first time showcase a 1:8 model of the AMCA, revealing some of its capabilities via super-graphics.
The AMCA project, kept completely under wraps in the last couple of years, will be officially India’s maiden foray into a stealth programme. The Doubting Thomas might have eyebrows up hearing the AMCA news, considering the Light Combat Programme (LCA) Tejas still has to travel some distance before the Indian Air Force (IAF) finally accepts it.
The AMCA, being tipped as the next generation multirole combat aircraft, is designed to meet the needs of the IAF. It is conceived in the medium weight category, with twin engine. “We have reached some level of technology maturity now with the help of DRDO and CSIR labs, in addition to some select-private companies. A new technology is onboard for weapon release, considering AMCA will have an internal weapon bay,” sources said. Understandably, when operational, the AMCA design will ensure that it ducks enemy radars, thanks to its low-signature patterns.
The shape of the aircraft is what makes AMCA different. Along with its modern air intake features, new materials, pilot comfort and the ergonomic cockpit design, scientists claim that the aircraft will have good capability to carry out air-to-air missions required for air superiority, which includes point defence, area defence and escort. “As a multi-role fighter, the aircraft will also have adequate strike capability with emphasis on critical opening day missions like SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defense), DEAD (Destruction of Enemy Air Defense) and precision strike,” sources said.
Currently the scientists are engaged in various scale model tests for the configuration of the design. With an initial government funding sanctioned in 2011 for a feasibility study, sources say that in the next few months a feasible design of AMCA should be out. Currently, a small team of scientists at ADA is concentrating on the design. The expected maiden flight should be by the end of the decade.
Tomorrow: Features, capabilities and technologies
Copyright@The New Indian Express
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