AMCA Programme:
- Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is an Indian programme of a fifth-generation fighter aircraft.
- Agencies involved: It is being designed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
- Features:
- It will initially fly with two GE-414 engines (the same engine used in LCA Mk-2 variant).
- It will initially be based on geometric stealth. During later stages, steps will be taken towards Material Stealth.
- Timeline: Development work on the jet is under way. First flight of Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft expected in 2032.
- Comment: This is India’s only fifth generation aircraft programme following the decision not to go ahead with the fifth-generation project with Russia.
5th Generation Aircrafts:
- Although there are no clearly defined strict criteria, but generally an aircraft is considered 5th generation if it has stealth profiles and advanced avionics with integrated all-digital flight systems,
- United States Airforce’s Lockheed F-22 Raptor remains the only fully-operational 5th generation fighter to date. Russian Sukhoi T-50 PAK FA, the Lockheed Martin F-35 and the Chinese J-20 and J-31 are in advanced stadium of development.
