The development of the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is on track and Russia is cooperating with some technologies, said Dr. K Tamilmani, Chief Controller R&D (Aero) of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) here on Thursday.
“The basic technology required for AMCA is available with us,” Dr. Tamilmani said.
The endeavour is to build on the capabilities and expertise built during the development of the Light Combat Aircraft and produce a medium Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft. It falls in a different class than the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft being jointly developed by India and Russia.
The basic design configuration of AMCA has been finalised after wind tunnel testing. There are three critical technologies to be developed — stealth, thrust vectoring and super cruise.
While stealth technologies will be developed by the DRDO, the organisation is partnering with Russia for thrust vectoring.
Super cruise essentially requires a high-capacity engine of 110 KN. Since India doesn’t have the technology to manufacture the engine, it is looking for partnerships and discussions are on with global engine manufacturers. The DRDO is likely to zero in on a partner within six months. The target is to integrate the engine into the aircraft by 2019.
