DRDO's Desire for 6th-Gen Adaptive Cycle Engine for AMCA Mk2 Faces Technological and Financial Hurdles

India's ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program is facing a critical juncture in its development, particularly concerning the choice of engine for the Mk2 variant.

While the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) aspires to equip the AMCA Mk2 with a 6th-generation engine, achieving this goal presents significant technological and financial challenges.

A senior official from GE Aerospace India, shed light on these complexities. The official revealed that DRDO desires an engine with capabilities similar to GE's XA100 adaptive cycle engine, a cutting-edge technology currently undergoing advanced testing.

The XA100, a key component of the U.S. Air Force's Next Generation Adaptive Propulsion (NGAP) initiative, represents a significant leap in jet engine technology. Adaptive cycle engines offer dramatic improvements in efficiency, range, and thermal management compared to conventional engines, along with significantly enhanced acceleration. GE is among the few companies to have completed advanced testing on this revolutionary engine, placing it at the forefront of propulsion innovation.

In contrast, other major aerospace companies like Rolls-Royce and Safran are still in the early stages of developing adaptive cycle engines. According to the GE official, these companies are estimated to be 10-15 years behind GE in this technology. This technological lead gives GE a strategic advantage in discussions with India regarding potential engine co-development.

While GE has expressed willingness to collaborate with India on a new engine for the AMCA program, the company's offer does not include adaptive cycle technology due to the significant financial and technological investment required. GE has proposed co-developing a 110-130 kN engine that would meet India's immediate requirements for the AMCA, but it would lack the advanced features of an adaptive cycle engine that DRDO may be seeking for future-proofing the platform.

DRDO Chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat recently emphasized the need for a 6th-generation engine for the AMCA and potential future programs, including a true 6th-generation fighter. While not explicitly stating the need for adaptive cycle technology, his remarks suggest India is looking to align its propulsion capabilities with emerging global standards.

Adaptive cycle engines are highly desirable for their ability to optimize performance across various operational scenarios, providing enhanced fuel efficiency during cruising and maximum thrust during combat. However, the high costs and technological hurdles associated with their development present significant challenges for India.

GE Aerospace India's offer to co-develop a non-adaptive engine appears to be a pragmatic approach, balancing India's immediate needs with the realities of development timelines and budgets. However, the official acknowledged that adaptive cycle engines represent the ideal solution for India's long-term ambitions, offering unparalleled performance and future compatibility.

 

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[beastonea]

We can't even get AMCA and they are talking about 6th gen fighters LMFAO.

 

[Ysmir Rewari]

Develop Kaveri 2.0 and AMCA's 110 Kn engine concurrently which are direly needed asap, once we have enough know-how from these programs adaptive cycle variants can be researched.

 

[sanket]

GE should deliver GE-404 engines on time. I think GE may fail this year, too, to deliver the first engine. Most likely, the first engine will arrive in February 2025. Second, it's GE's responsibility to solve the supply chain problem and shift certain components from South Korea to India. Another 97 Tejas MK1A order is expected to be placed soon. Lastly, GE's offer for the AMCA engine is after Safran & RR. There is no clarity on IPR & export.

 

[Sunny]

How about we first focus on Tejas mk1A and Tejas Mk2, forget AMCA . These programs are no where near even IOC. We have to still fly Mig21.

 

[Sandeep]

It’s obviously clear that India hasn’t reached that stage where we can develop such an advanced engine. Nobody will give us 100% of the technology or manufacture it indigenously. At best they might give about 20-40% of the useless and non critical parts and it will be very expensive and cost at least 5-10 billion before it’s ready for production.

Our focus needs to be on manufacturing the Tejas MK1A jets and sort out the supply chain issues. Also the jets can still be manufactured and an engine can be installed on it later as they arrive. Also scrap the additional 97 jet and engines as that could delay production of Tejas MK2 or reduce the number of orders we place but it’s better to have more Tejas MK2 as it has superior capabilities.

Also we need to quickly manufacture the Tejas MK2 and the AMCA prototypes because those are the main fighters that we urgently need. Funding has been provided so we don’t want more delays. Also we should quickly make a deal with Safran to design, develop and manufacture a 5th generation jet engine so it’s ready within the next 10 years for the MK2 version. The education, experience, knowledge, science, engineering, metallurgy, manufacturing etc will be the main prize as then we can learn and know more about how to develop an advanced engine and improve on it even further.

 

[Sagnik Acharyya]

US will not send any engines to India. US has nothing to lose honestly. US needs India to cunter China. Good.
But not at the cost of developing India so much that on long term it threatens USA. So US will deal with China problem on its own with its allies while giving media statements and not actually helping India. US is giving India NOTHING.
Neither Semicondutor manufacturing capabilities, nor ANY TYPE OF MILITARY TECH.

Given this scenario, our politicians and our IAS babus are absolutely dumb + living a world of bubble, thus taking the worst decisions possible. They will continue to pursue "foreign collaboration" for another 20-30 years unless the public starts giving open abuses at the failure of the approach.

The only option left with India is to pursue some EU nations independently. ( we should have bought 150+ rafaels right off the shelf ) and invest huge money in indigenous military tech.
Yes, those wont be cutting edge in the first decade or so, but shall eventually catch up with the West.
But NO.

I guess this path which we are on will lead us into another humilating result if push comes to shove with China and it will. its a question of when

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Our habit of being dependent on foreign JV will not take us far. We have to take our R&D to next level.

 

[Arvind Sharma1]

We want a perfect product in one go, which does not go with the proven theory of stage-wise development.
A foreign deal is lucrative for all, right from Defence Ministry, IAF, GTRE, HAL, ... so on who so ever is in the chain.
Chinese don't have superior brains but definitely have superior Go Get it Attitude, which we are badly lacking.
Why was ISRO not consulted/onboarded since beginning or even midway for AB section of the engine.
No intention, no cohesion, no sharing, no volunteering and ultimately a poor product.

 

[Muthukumar Ponnambalam]

As I've been repeatedly saying, only an industry - academia joint consortium will make such advanced research as adaptive engine technology possible INDIGENOUSLY, WHICH IS WHAT WE MUST DO AND NOT PIGGYBACKING ON GE'S SHOULDERS.

Together, all the IITs and NITs and IISc get over 1000 crores of funds from the union Govt and hence they're obligated to return the favor to the nation.

So at least from now, Union Govt should order them to undertake such advanced research projects along with the industry and get things done.

 

[INDIAN]

This is where in these initial phase of analysis and development, India should join France for adative cycle jet engines. This is where India needs to take risk, and here France will also agree to cooperate as during initial phase lots of money is require and there are risk of failures.
But if France is able to master this technology singe handily ,then later India will not get chance.
But this require vision, money and strategic thought which we Indian lacks very much.
Separately India can work with France for AMCA non adaptive 110kNjet engines, as adative engines will take to mature.

 

[Andy]

Work with Russia if necessary but get Kaveri working. As first order of 83 Mk1 will take 4-5 years, use the time to Integrate Kaveri with Mk1B for the second order of 97.

 

[astr illuminati]

Talk to ISRO or go the Chinese way. Nothing wrong in it. Technically the IP thing is Western philosophy. Once you buy a thing you learn the thing and you produce that thing is what human nature is. But just to overshadow such things disillusioned philosophy is layered in brain in the name of law.
Why did USA stole Russian jets?
Why did USA stole Russian Radar's?
Why did a few scientists from India went missing?
Answer is simple to learn things and design one's own.
So while we neutralize terrorists globally deploy a few resources to get the technology. Don't get too late