India Explores Unmanned AMCA Fighter Jet, IAF Prefers Manned Version

A potential technological leap for India's defence sector is taking shape, with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), a branch of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), exploring a groundbreaking unmanned variant of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

This proposed 5th-generation fighter jet, if developed, would operate entirely through an "Electronic Pilot" and ground commands.

The unmanned AMCA presents a significant potential advantage for India, eliminating the risk to human pilots while offering increased tactical flexibility. However, the Indian Air Force (IAF) remains cautious, prioritizing the development of a traditional manned AMCA.

While the manned AMCA is likely to incorporate advanced features such as automatic takeoff and landing, the IAF reportedly insists on human control at the core of its fighter fleet. The development of a fully unmanned variant remains in its early conceptual stages.

This news reflects a larger, ongoing debate within military circles worldwide -- the role of fully autonomous combat systems versus traditional, human-piloted craft. The ADA's proposal indicates that India is positioned to be at the forefront of this technological discussion.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have already proven their value, but the transition of a full-fledged fighter jet to autonomous control raises complex technical and ethical questions.

As discussions between the ADA and IAF continue, the future of the AMCA program hangs in the balance. It remains to be seen whether a compromise will be reached to develop the manned and unmanned versions in tandem or if resources will focus solely on the traditional manned fighter jet.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

Tell exact timeline for all projects. Give detail when tejasmk2 will fly. No publicity trends. Govt must release fund in time-bound manner. Then they will stop talking and cheating.

 

[CCPSmasher]

Dream merchants are at it again. Shameless ADA stull havent learnt a thing all the while the decades old on going projects are rotting on whiteboard.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

All research institutes in india want fund for projects. But no shine of completion.

 

[Sandeep]

India doesn't need a unmanned AMCA jet at all. They first need to focus on delivering a manned version which is very complex and difficult to achieve in the first place. Also any unmanned jet or drone is always at risk that the enemy will hack, disrupt, block or use any means to crash the jet or it can be hijacked by the enemy who want to steal any advanced technology, equipment and stealth material that they might want to use for their own programs or they can sell it on the black market or to other countries who are also interested in the technology. India should not develop a unmanned version at all but they can use AI or softwares to program the jet to return home if the pilot can't fly the jet successfully because he's unconscious or injured so we can create and develop some type of unmanned or pilotless control of the jet for certain scenarios. So India shouldn't develop a specific type or variant of the AMCA that's unmanned at all.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

With this they will ask for 7-8 more years in development time lines .

 

[NAMAN]

looks like this org is full of jokers. chalna ata nahi uadne ke sapne dek rahe hai.

 

[Fresh Water]

This article along with the one "Best is the enemy of good" seems to be motivated.

So, I say do not shy away from developing the unmanned variant.

1. The unmanned variant might be easier to develop.
2. It's a great publicity for the new aircraft.
3. Increases the possibility of a sale in the global market.

 

[Baka007]

Unmanned HAL/ADA coming soon.....

 

[Surendra Barsode]

Let us first finish with manned AMCA and not waste time on next generation dreams. We are already late on AMCA and it is time funding issues are sorted. We need our own aero engine too. Only when we are almost self reliant, we can think of something else.

 

[GMR]

With this they will ask for 7-8 more years in development time lines .

It will ensure FUND for the organisation, baki heya bhad main..

 

[Akshat]

Tell exact timeline for all projects. Give detail when tejasmk2 will fly. No publicity trends. Govt must release fund in time-bound manner. Then they will stop talking and cheating.

There was an exact timeline given for Tejas Mk2. August 2022. And it was missed.

 

[Neel Martin]

by the time the Manned amca is complete the demand will be for unmanned adca ..They are aware of their capabilities !!!

 

[Fly]

AMCA approved finally by CCS 😭

 

[Fly]

Only 2 things in my mind.. either this is just a mis information. ADA has not tell anything like that. Or we heard this thing about AMCA MK2 that it will be optionally maned aircraft. This article is just recreating that news to ADA's present statements.

AMCA approved just today 😵‍💫

 

[Tanishq Bafila]

Great news is around the corner

AMCA ❤️

 

[Sommyarup Roy]

Agree with IAF.

 

[Jay K Sinhal]

In the US we are flying 6th generation aircraft since 2019. It is completely remotely controlled.

 

[Sangram]

ADA, HAL, ADE, DRDO is like BSNL old employee's work 0% enthusiasm 100%.

 

[Bhupesh Desai]

ADA needs to focus only of getting AMCA manned version working and than it could be considered. Get 1st prototype in Air before ask for any deviation.

 

[kumar]

ADA has its task cutout. It's now time to deliver.