The Hindu: Page 06
Syllabus: GS 3: Science and Technology
The Defence Ministry is planning to involve the private sector significantly in the design and development of the indigenous fifth-generation fighter aircraft, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
- The AMCA design is ready, with the first prototype expected by 2028-29 and production beginning by 2032-33.
- Induction is targeted for 2034, with private sector collaboration models to be finalised within six months.
- An Expression of Interest (EoI) has been issued, and three industry responses have been received.
- The AMCA is crucial as India’s only Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) amid global FGFA advancements, especially with China’s J-20 FGFA deployment in Tibet.
- Sanctioned by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in March, the AMCA is a 25-tonne twin-engine stealth aircraft with internal weapons bay and diverterless supersonic intake.
- It features an internal payload capacity of 1,500 kg, external payload of 5,500 kg, and 6,500 kg of internal fuel.
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is the production agency and has commenced manufacturing activities.
Fifth-generation fighter jets
- Fifth-generation fighter jets are designed to carry out a range of missions, such as air-to-air combat and ground attack.
- They have plain surfaces, specially shaped exhaust nozzles, and engines located in the plane's body to hide heat signatures.
- They also have special radars to detect the aircraft's own radar emissions.
- Only a few countries have built a fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft.
- The list of the aircraft currently in service includes the F-22 Raptor and F-35A Lightning II of the US, the Chinese J-20 Mighty Dragon, and the Russian Sukhoi Su-57.
