Tailless Design, Blended Surfaces and Engine Placement Key to Enhanced Stealth in 6th Gen Jets, Says Former Air Marshal

Former Indian Air Marshal Anil Chopra, a renowned expert in air power, recently shared his insights on the revolutionary design principles driving the development of sixth-generation fighter aircraft. He emphasized that a key characteristic of these future jets will be the adoption of tailless configurations, marking a significant departure from traditional aircraft design.

Chopra explained that the primary motivation behind eliminating the tail is to enhance stealth capabilities. "All sixth-generation aircraft will be minus the tail," he stated, highlighting that tails contribute significantly to radar reflections. Stealth technology aims to minimize these reflections, making aircraft less detectable by enemy radar.

Without traditional rudders, aircraft control would be achieved through alternative methods. Chopra suggested that horizontal surfaces could take over some of these functions, complemented by advanced technologies like thrust vectoring. "I will use thrust vectoring of the engine to manoeuvre left and right," he explained, indicating that engine nozzles could be directed to provide yaw control.

Looking further ahead, Chopra envisioned the use of air jets or directed airflow from the engine itself for maneuvering. "There are technologies like air jets which will come out of the aircraft… these jets will be used to manoeuvre the aircraft," he elaborated, pointing towards more dynamic control mechanisms.

The absence of a tail presents design challenges in maintaining stability and control, but Chopra sees these as opportunities for innovation. He advocated for designs that prioritize:

• Blending surfaces: Seamlessly integrating the wings into the aircraft's body to minimize sharp edges and reduce radar signature.
• Strategic engine placement: Carefully positioning the engine and its exhaust to minimize radar reflections and manage infrared (IR) signatures.

Chopra highlighted the importance of embedding the engine effectively, as engines, particularly their compressors, are significant reflectors of radar waves. He even suggested the possibility of directing exhaust upwards to reduce IR signatures, underscoring the complexities of managing multiple forms of detectability in modern aerial combat.

These insights from Air Marshal Chopra offer a glimpse into the future of fighter aircraft design, where stealth, advanced technologies, and innovative configurations will converge to create a new generation of highly capable and elusive combat aircraft.

 

2024 Marked as Speed Breaker for India's Tejas Mk1A Jet with F-404 Engine Supply Disruptions and Certification Delays Should Tejas Mk2 Have Been an AMCA-Inspired Single Engine Stealth Jet? Netizens Question 4.5 Gen Design Choice

[Bhartiya Sainik]

So when will ADA make such fighter jet?

 

[sanket]

Develop Tejas MK1A Design into steath 6th Gen Fighter with Bigger payload & Higher Thrust Engines

 

[T.Rajesh]

The Chinese 6th generation fighter jets has caught India yawning. Now, we all are gaping. So, it is time that we progress towards our very own 6th generation fighter on a war footing. Or else, we are bound to lose a war initiated by China even without firing a single shot!

 

[AbhijitB]

While we should try to speed up AMCA development it will be minimum 15 to 20 years before it is deployed in the IAF. With China's 6th gen fighters ready for production..we just do not have that kind of time. We need to buy fighters as a stop gap and the F-35 is the only viable alternative...despite any restrictions thatcome with it. They are costly but sitting on the fence and wondering what to do can be far more costly. Add to this the fact that Pakistan will soon have Chinese 5th gen fighters.

 

[kliu89]

Trisonic wind tunnel was made in Dec 2022. Today we see 3 models of Hypersonic glide vehicle designed by DRDO. And the 4th which is a complex design under development. Recent successful test is the result of having a test facility in Bharat in just within 2 years.
ADA, ADE , GTRE and ISRO has been asking for aerodynamic test facility and a flying test bed since a long time but the same is still not given. I believe it is intentionally done to delay the indigenous development program. Maybe conspired by external agency and supported by khangress. Yesterday MOD has given a list of labs needed for self reliance worth Rs 16000 crore. Looking at the urgency, if present government does not allocate this fund then better forget these are getting built after.