AMCA Development progress
AMCA is going to be India’s 5th generation fighter jet and only twin engine fighter jet to be developed indigenously after HAL Marut.
The Critical Design Review (CDR) of the aircraft is in the final step towards realizing the complete structure, including the integration of weapon systems.
As per our discussion with ADA officials during Aero India 2023, the CDR may be completed in a month. The design for many primary systems for the AMCA is complete which includes hydraulics, cockpit avionics, Integrated Vehicle Health Management and internal weapons bay.
17.5 tons redundant servo actuator
During Aero India show 2023, a 17.5 tons redundant servo actuator to be used in AMCA was shown. In the initial phase of LCA program these were imported but are now developed indigenously. It is one of the niche technologies developed for a supersonic & high performance aircraft. They are used as a mechanism to induce or control motion in mechanical systems and transform an input signal (usually electrical) into motion.
DRDO’s Internal Weapons Bay
Another system for which the design is complete is the IWB. You can see 1:4 scale model of AMCA displayed during Aero India show 2023. The IWB will be able to carry payload of ~1.5ton. In the video you can see 2 Astra BVRAAM and 2 Tara missile. AMCA can also carry 2 SAAW in place of 1 Tara missile. In different configurations AMCA can carry 4 Astra or 8 SAAW or 4 PGM s such as JDAM or Tara in its IWB. In non-stealthy or beast mode AMCA can carry 6.5 ton of weapons payload.
The weapons launch cycle time from IWB is 2.5s and can accomodate diff combinations of weapons such as BVRAAMs, PGMs & Small Diameter Bombs. It features serrated doors with cold gas based ejection system. The weapons can be released from IWB across the flight envelope.
ADA & BEL MoU
In Feb 2023, Bharat Electronics BEL has signed an MoU with Aeronautical Development Agency ADA to develop and provide a supportive infrastructure for AMCA program. As a part of MoU both the firms will design, develop, produce and supply Internal Weapon Bay Computer and other Line replaceable units (LRUs) for AMCA to support the Indian Air Force.
Indian Defense Analysis 