In a significant move towards the development of India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has issued a tender for the domestic supply of stretched acrylic canopy systems. This critical component will be vital for the 5th-generation fighter jet, providing the pilot with crucial visibility and protection during flight.
The ADA is seeking six canopy bubbles that meet stringent military specifications (MIL-W-81752A and MIL-C-81590), ensuring they can withstand the extreme conditions of modern air combat. These canopies will be constructed from a specialized stretched acrylic laminated material chosen for its durability and optical clarity. Mounted on a metal frame, the complete canopy system must meet demanding performance and safety standards.
This tender represents a significant opportunity for Indian manufacturers to contribute to a crucial national defence project. The selected supplier will be responsible for more than just production. They will play a key role in refining the canopy system design, including tooling development, manufacturing process validation, and rigorous qualification testing.
The ADA has outlined specific performance requirements for the canopy system, including:
- Service Life: A minimum of 5 years or 3000 operational hours.
- Pressure Tolerance: The ability to withstand internal pressurization and external aerodynamic loads of 8.86 psi at temperatures reaching 90°C.
- Bird Strike Resistance: Compliance with ASTM F 330, requiring the canopy to withstand the impact of a 4 lb bird at 850 kmph while maintaining adequate pilot visibility and safety.
- Z-direction: 2 mm
- X-direction: 15 mm
- Y-direction: 17 mm