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India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, the nation's ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter jet project, is incorporating sophisticated countermeasure systems to bolster its survivability in contested airspace. These include concealed chaff countermeasure flares and radio frequency countermeasures (RFCM), crucial for protecting the aircraft from a wide array of missile threats.
A defining characteristic of fifth-generation fighter jets is their low observability (LO), or stealth, which minimizes their radar signature. The AMCA will feature towed decoy doors that remain closed during normal operations to preserve its stealth characteristics. These doors will open only when deploying countermeasures, ensuring that the aircraft's radar cross-section (RCS) remains minimal during combat.
This concealed system represents a significant advancement over traditional countermeasure deployment methods, where external attachments can compromise stealth. The AMCA's approach highlights a seamless integration of survivability features without compromising its LO design.
The RFCM system on the AMCA is designed to neutralize threats posed by missiles guided by radio frequency (RF) energy. This includes radar-guided surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and air-to-air missiles, which rely on RF signals for tracking and targeting. The RFCM system operates by jamming the missile's radar seeker, confusing its guidance system, or redirecting it away from the aircraft using decoy signals.
This capability to counter RF-guided threats ensures that the AMCA can operate effectively in highly contested airspace, where modern radar and missile systems are prevalent. It complements the aircraft's stealth characteristics, providing a layered defence mechanism.
In addition to RFCM, the AMCA will also deploy advanced chaff countermeasure flares. These are designed to deceive infrared-guided missiles and other tracking systems by creating false targets or obscuring the aircraft's position. The deployment of these countermeasures will be optimized to ensure rapid response to threats while maintaining the aircraft's operational tempo.
The inclusion of these advanced countermeasure systems underscores the AMCA program's focus on survivability in future battlefields. With adversaries deploying increasingly sophisticated missile systems and integrated air defenses, the AMCA's ability to evade and neutralize threats will be a decisive factor in its operational effectiveness. By integrating these countermeasures, the AMCA is poised to be a formidable and survivable fighter jet, capable of fulfilling its role in ensuring India's air superiority.
