As AMCA Prototype Takes Shape, Parallel Wind Tunnel Tests Will Refine Its Stealth and Aerodynamics, Ensuring Flawless First Flight by 2029

In a crucial step forward for India's premier indigenous defence project, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has initiated a tender to build highly detailed models of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) for intensive wind tunnel testing.

This development runs alongside the aircraft's ongoing design review and prototype manufacturing, signalling a critical phase of refinement for the fifth-generation stealth fighter's airframe and low-observability features.

The advanced testing is a standard and vital part of the development cycle for such complex aircraft and is not expected to delay the programme's ambitious timelines. The first flight of the AMCA is currently projected for 2029.

Officials associated with the project have clarified that these tests are designed to meticulously validate the aircraft's aerodynamic performance, the effectiveness of its flight control surfaces, and its critical stealth characteristics across a wide range of flight conditions.

The scale models will be subjected to subsonic, transonic, and supersonic speeds to collect precise data, which will help in finalising the aircraft's configuration before it takes to the skies.

An ADA official emphasised that the request for proposal for these models is a scheduled part of the iterative design and validation process. They expressed confidence that this testing phase will not impact the planned rollout of the first prototype, provided it continues in parallel with the critical design review and manufacturing, as is currently the plan.

The tender specifies the need for extremely precise, instrumented scale models of the AMCA. These models will be equipped with features such as surface pressure sensors and force balances to measure aerodynamic loads.

Importantly, they will also be used for evaluating the aircraft's Radar Cross-Section (RCS), a key measure of its stealth capability. Additionally, structural test boxes will be fabricated to analyse internal stress and load distribution during complex flight manoeuvres and when carrying weapons.

The AMCA programme, managed by the ADA under the broader Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), represents a significant leap in India’s military aviation capabilities.

The aircraft is being engineered as a multirole stealth fighter, incorporating advanced features essential for fifth-generation combat. These include an internal weapons bay to maintain a low radar profile, diverterless supersonic inlets (DSI) for efficient engine performance, serpentine air intakes to shield engine blades from radar, and the extensive use of radar-absorbent materials.

With the Cabinet Committee on Security having sanctioned ₹15,000 crore for the development of five prototypes, the project is now firmly in its execution phase.

The first prototype is anticipated to be ready by late 2028, leading up to its maiden flight in 2029.

Following a successful development and testing phase, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), in collaboration with a consortium of private Indian firms, will spearhead the series production.

While such extensive testing might appear to be a step back, it is a globally recognised best practice in aerospace engineering. This rigorous validation ensures that the final aircraft meets the stringent performance and survivability standards required to operate effectively in modern, contested airspace.

This latest move by ADA reinforces a commitment to thorough validation, aiming to deliver a robust and world-class combat aircraft to the Indian Air Force.

 

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[Somnath Sinhababu]

First, think about which jet engine will be used. Still no clarity. No deal with GE for F414. Neither is there any news about any partnership with Safran or RR, despite very unique offers given by them. I wonder how much it takes to just select an engine partner. This drama has been going on for so long now. They can't even build anything themselves, and even when they get foreign support, there's so much drama. What can I say? These government officials have sunk India in every sector.

 

[Vishwanath Vijay Thomre]

Looks all good at the prima facia of the project, though every thing looks good the multiple reasons are there to be concerned about the complete pack as the main obstacle lies with the core of AMCA its jet engine. Along side the AMCA we need to develop our indigenous jet engine at any cost. Parallel work should be performed to develop the Kaveri to boost the AMCA. I would prefer at least 2 of the 5 prototype to be run on Kaveri engine so that we will be totally in command of the project.

 

[Pankaj]

How many models will come out? Enough of models for now, we need a full-scale demonstration by 2027. Just fix a final model out of the last 8-9 years of facts and findings and start working on that model. The first and foremost target is to enter the world of 5th generation fighter jets. Models and refining are a continuous process that will always be there. Look at Russia, which is still struggling with the final model of their 5th generation fighter jet, the Su-57; the Chinese are also working on different models. Hence, the first thing is to roll out the first model.

 

[Akshat]

First, think about which jet engine will be used. Still no clarity. No deal with GE for F414. Neither is there any news about any partnership with Safran or RR, despite very unique offers given by them. I wonder how much it takes to just select an engine partner. This drama has been going on for so long now. They can't even build anything themselves, and even when they get foreign support, there's so much drama. What can I say? These government officials have sunk India in every sector.

Well the partner has already been chosen for almost 2 years now. This was a line from PMO's official press release in 2023 after PM's visit to Paris.

"In the future, India and France will extend their ground-breaking defence cooperation in advanced aeronautical technologies by supporting the joint development of a combat aircraft engine."

India doesn't use the term combat aircraft for helicopters. So the only aircraft they could refer to in this statement is AMCA. As per my sources, France and India have already completed the negotiations on almost all aspects. Last aspect left was France's help in developing academic capability at university level in various fields related to jet engines. And this was at the start of this year. France had proposed something, DRDO had sent it's revised version. Rest everything is finalized. So you can expect the final version to be complete this year and the deal to be finalized soon as well. And the target was 2025, so we are more or less on track. If we finalize it this year, it will take 8 years to complete the project. That will be in line for AMCA Mk2 in 2035. Assuming no delays, of course.

 

[Vishwanath Vijay Thomre]

First, think about which jet engine will be used. Still no clarity. No deal with GE for F414. Neither is there any news about any partnership with Safran or RR, despite very unique offers given by them. I wonder how much it takes to just select an engine partner. This drama has been going on for so long now. They can't even build anything themselves, and even when they get foreign support, there's so much drama. What can I say? These government officials have sunk India in every sector.

There is no doubt that the bureaucracy is still ruining the Indian aspiration to be self reliant in many sectors. This need to be changed I mean when asked about the 5th gen fighter the reply from our Defense secretary Mr. Singh was absolute rubbish of concentrating on AMCA project which is not even on ground and just on paper, not on any foreign fighter jet may be China can say this as they already have two 5th gen on ground. That is so rubbish answer he should know that in war situation the IAF will be involved and he wont be seen anywhere near.

 

[Sandeep]

The CDR was frozen a while ago which is why they were able to move to the next stage which is to manufacture the jets prototype. The manufacturing company will be chosen soon but they should speed it up.

Obviously they can continue to make minor changes as they test the full scale model in the wind tunnel tests and radar absorption. But they can’t make any structural changes as that will require us to go back to the drawing board again.