India's AMCA Jet Fighter to Utilize Custom-Designed 110kN Thrust Engines

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) officials have revealed the rationale behind the development of a unique engine thrust system for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

The AMCA, a fifth-generation fighter jet, will be equipped with two 110kN thrust class engines specifically engineered to excel in India's demanding operational environment.

Why 110kN Thrust?​

• Supercruise Capability: A key feature of the AMCA is its ability to sustain supersonic speeds without relying on afterburners, a fuel-intensive process. The 110kN thrust engines will provide the necessary power for this supercruise capability, as well as to support the aircraft's radar and avionics systems.
• Adaptability to Harsh Conditions: India's hot and humid climate poses a significant challenge for fighter jet engines, often resulting in a loss of power. The AMCA's engines are being designed to withstand temperatures reaching 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) without compromising performance.

The Need for Indigenous Development​

The specific thrust-to-weight ratio required for the AMCA is not commonly found in engines produced by global manufacturers.

To address this, India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a division of the DRDO, is spearheading the development of a bespoke engine for the AMCA program.

This effort involves collaboration with foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to integrate cutting-edge technology and ensure reliability.

Future-Proofing the AMCA​

The engine is not only designed to meet current requirements but also to accommodate future advancements.

With a dry core thrust capacity of 75kN, the engine can be scaled up to deliver higher thrust outputs, allowing for upgrades and modifications in the future.

This scalability ensures that the AMCA remains at the forefront of fighter jet technology for years to come.

 

[Sandeep]

Nothing is decided.. but we claim we have built the 82 kN wet kaveri.. what use if one Tejas platform is not fit with it to collect data?

What nonsense is this collaboration?

It’s been decided with France as an agreement was signed early this year. Also the Kaveri will never be able to power the Tejas jet as it can’t produce enough thrust. They are instead going to develop a 50kn dry thrust engine which can power the stealth UCAV Ghatak drone as it recently passed high altitude tests in Russia.

 

[Sandeep]

They are still talking with RR also, GE wanted to offer high thrust engine as well and so as Pratt and Whitney, they already talked with France many times and they don’t have the right engine that can power AMCA, France themselves are getting help for their 5th gen Aircraft from Germany’s MTU.

An agreement was signed with Safran early this year when the PM visited France as they were the only company who would develop a brand new engine and give 100% of the technology and allow us to make it all in India, own the IPR and freely able to sell it without needing permission. The main benefit is that India will get to learn about the science, technology and engineering that’s used to develop a brand new engine from the start. No other company was prepared to make that offer which is why we made the deal.

Also France is looking to develop a brand new engine with other partners for their 6th generation jet they will develop. So they are collaborating with other partners to spread the costs.

 

[Rajesh]

I'd be more concerned with whether 110 kN would be powerful enough, considering it is lesser than practically every other twin-engined 5th generation fighter. Considering the problems the USA is facing with the F-35's lack of additional power for newer systems, one only hopes we don't run into a similar issue.

Hope we don't have to face the jaguar engine scenario again esp due to power hungry modern day sensors and laser weapons(when they come) in future.

 

[Gagandeep Singh]

An agreement was signed with Safran early this year when the PM visited France as they were the only company who would develop a brand new engine and give 100% of the technology and allow us to make it all in India, own the IPR and freely able to sell it without needing permission. The main benefit is that India will get to learn about the science, technology and engineering that’s used to develop a brand new engine from the start. No other company was prepared to make that offer which is why we made the deal.

Also France is looking to develop a brand new engine with other partners for their 6th generation jet they will develop. So they are collaborating with other partners to spread the costs.

There is zero movement and zero urgency shown in starting the development of 110 KN engine with Safran. So far it is just a MOU and no formal agreement with details of the project (and money paid) has been signed. This in the face of China set to produce 1000 J-20. I don't see Indian 5th Gen fighter materialising before 2050. But guess what ? You need not worry that longer because by that time Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pardesh will be goners

 

[PKPRS]

An agreement was signed with Safran early this year when the PM visited France as they were the only company who would develop a brand new engine and give 100% of the technology and allow us to make it all in India, own the IPR and freely able to sell it without needing permission. The main benefit is that India will get to learn about the science, technology and engineering that’s used to develop a brand new engine from the start. No other company was prepared to make that offer which is why we made the deal.

Also France is looking to develop a brand new engine with other partners for their 6th generation jet they will develop. So they are collaborating with other partners to spread the costs.

No that is not for the jet engine, it’s helicopter engine for IMRH, UAE had asked France for a more powerful engine for their Rafale which France is still struggling to give them, so they defenitely can’t help us with 130KN engine, do you know how many years it will take for a country to bump the power of their jet engine 55KN thrust, the maximum France can manageis 50KN dry and 75KN with after burner, we need 120 KN to begin with and then bump it to 130-135KN for AMCA MK2, right now only 2 engines provide 120KN thrust GE F414 and EJ 200.

 

[Sandeep]

No that is not for the jet engine, it’s helicopter engine for IMRH, UAE had asked France for a more powerful engine for their Rafale which France is still struggling to give them, so they defenitely can’t help us with 130KN engine, do you know how many years it will take for a country to bump the power of their jet engine 55KN thrust, the maximum France can manageis 50KN dry and 75KN with after burner, we need 120 KN to begin with and then bump it to 130-135KN for AMCA MK2, right now only 2 engines provide 120KN thrust GE F414 and EJ 200.

No a jet engine has been agreed with. Also increasing the thrust is something that they can do by changing the core and make it compatible with more heat by using modern metallurgy composition. Every country that uses the Rafale jet finds its a perfect balance with the speed and weight as this is a medium weight fighter and not a heavy weight fighter like the Sukhoi jets. The engine with France will be a 110kn which can be increased up to 130kn in later upgrades.

 

[Sandeep]

There is zero movement and zero urgency shown in starting the development of 110 KN engine with Safran. So far it is just a MOU and no formal agreement with details of the project (and money paid) has been signed. This in the face of China set to produce 1000 J-20. I don't see Indian 5th Gen fighter materialising before 2050. But guess what ? You need not worry that longer because by that time Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pardesh will be goners

They made a memorandum of understanding because they will make a jet engine. Otherwise they wouldn’t have signed it so work is progressing behind the scene and this engine will be used on the AMCA MK2 jet.

As for China making 1000 J20 jets then it’s difficult to make that amount. Their jet isn’t even a proper stealth fighter as its technology is unreliable, defective, problematic and it doesn’t perform or do what the Chinese claim it can. Our jets can clearly see their jets from across the border from our 20 year old Sukhoi jet. Our fighter will be a proper stealth jet with having 5.5th generation technology and capabilities.

Also China wouldn’t start a war because we have nukes so China can’t steal any land. They tried that in Ladakh and failed after getting a big beating by our troops. So your point and logic about India losing those border states is flawed and wrong.

 

[PKPRS]

No a jet engine has been agreed with. Also increasing the thrust is something that they can do by changing the core and make it compatible with more heat by using modern metallurgy composition. Every country that uses the Rafale jet finds its a perfect balance with the speed and weight as this is a medium weight fighter and not a heavy weight fighter like the Sukhoi jets. The engine with France will be a 110kn which can be increased up to 130kn in later upgrades.

If that is the case why are they still talking to RR and GE, UAE had been asking for more speed that Dassult couldn’t provide, also bumping the speed of a jet engine will take a decade, it’s not that easy as you say.

 

[kanti 1955]

We will not develop nor join any program as long as ministry of defence babu are there. They don't fight but they help in tying the arms of the forces by delays. Knowing that we are surrounded by the new cold war theater. Things do not move. Important is to make roads to every border post to carry arms and amunation without nature havoc. 3rd air craft carrier. 5th and 6th generation aircrafts atleadt to have 42 squadron. More apache and Chinook copiers along with home grown helicopters. Advance landing strips. Modern drones and electronic warfare. Money will be required tax bollywood, gold jewellery people and big agricultural people alongwith Adani and Ambani.