Analysis Tejas Mk2 Retains Legacy Intake Design for Cost and Time Efficiency, While AMCA Adopts DSI Tech for Enhanced Stealth

India's indigenous fighter jet programs, the Tejas Mk2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), are testaments to the nation's ambition for self-reliance in military aviation. However, a key difference between these two aircraft lies in their intake design.

While the AMCA embraces Diverterless Supersonic Inlet (DSI) technology, the Tejas Mk2 retains a more traditional design. This difference reflects distinct design philosophies and priorities.

DSI intakes are a modern innovation in aircraft design, especially for fighter jets. They replace traditional intake systems with diverter plates, offering several advantages:

• Reduced radar cross-section: Fewer moving parts result in lower radar signature, crucial for stealth aircraft.
• Reduced drag: Improved aerodynamic efficiency.
• Enhanced airflow management: Potentially better airflow to the engine.

The Tejas Mk2, also known as the Medium Weight Fighter (MWF), is an evolutionary upgrade from the Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A. To minimize development time and costs, it retains much of the original airframe design while enhancing performance. This includes the existing intake design, which was optimized for the less stringent stealth requirements of a 4.5 generation fighter.

The Tejas Mk2 prioritizes enhanced maneuverability, payload, and avionics. Retrofitting it with DSI would have necessitated significant redesign, potentially leading to delays and cost overruns. The development strategy for the Tejas Mk2 aimed to balance performance enhancements with practical considerations of budget and timeline.

While the Tejas Mk2 incorporates some stealth features, it was not designed with the same level of stealth priority as the AMCA. The Mk2's operational profile does not require the same degree of radar evasiveness that DSI provides.

In contrast, the AMCA is envisioned as India's first true 5th generation fighter, with stealth as a core design parameter. DSIs play a crucial role in minimizing its radar cross-section by eliminating external moving parts in the intake system.

Unlike the Tejas, which evolved from an existing platform, the AMCA is a clean-sheet design, allowing engineers to incorporate advanced technologies from the outset. This includes adopting DSIs to achieve the aircraft's stealth objectives.

The decision to forego DSI on the Tejas Mk2 can be seen as a strategic choice to expedite the aircraft's entry into service. The AMCA, with its longer development timeline, allows for the integration of such advanced technologies without compromising its development schedule.

In essence, the Tejas Mk2 and AMCA represent different stages in India's journey towards self-reliance in fighter aircraft technology. The Tejas Mk2 prioritizes rapid development and cost-effectiveness, while the AMCA pushes the boundaries of technological advancement with a focus on stealth capabilities.

 

[sanket]

How many contenders have featured DSI in MRFA over MMRCA? Almost 12 years difference till now. They have experienced, well-established R&D centers, skilled manpower, etc. Oh, & F-16 hasn't even built any prototype. Instead, they will show F-21 in video, ha ha ha.

 

[Rokuth]

While there are benefits for the DSI intakes over the traditional Diverter Plate Inlet intakes, DSI does restrict the top speed of the aircraft to around Mach 2. At higher speeds, the DSI cannot provide smooth, non-turbulent airflow into the engine ducts. Thus, it does giveaway the theoretical top speed of an aircraft. If you look at both the Turkish Kaan, the F-22, and even the KAI KF-21, their top speed will be in excess of Mach 2. If the AMCA does use DSI intakes, then we already know what it's top speed will be.

 

[obiwankenubi jedi]

Even without the DSI, it will take ten years for Tejas Mk2. With DSI, it could very easily become 20 years.

So it's best left as it is without adding further complications.

If DSI affects maximum speed, why does Tejas Mk1 have a 1.8 Mach limit then, without DSI?

 

[P.K Senapati]

Stealth was not a predominant requirement in Tejas Mk2.They modified airintake to cater more airflow for GEF414.
So no design modification was done to airintake and nose cone. In fact they added canards for better maneuverability by that increasing radar signature

 

[Dipesh Debnath]

People can do their research in a separate project, not in this plane. If we read 50 journals, we can come up with 50 hi-tech innovations that is good to have but not essential to get the much needed plane up in the sky.

 

[Vikas Yadav 007]

China's rapid progress in developing a sixth-generation fighter jet, with a projected readiness goal of 2030, is indeed alarming, especially considering India's current status. While India has not yet developed the Tejas Mk2 prototype, the production of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is slated to begin in 2035.

In contrast, western countries are already working on sixth-generation stealth fighters, which will feature advanced sensors, intelligent weapons systems, and software-driven interactive cockpits. The Tempest will also have next-generation radar, providing 10,000 times more data than current systems, and will be adaptable with changeable software and hardware.

The loyal wingman concept, which involves using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to conduct riskier mission profiles, will also be integrated into these sixth-generation jets. This technology will be used for both Navy and Air Force, with manned and unmanned versions.

India's aero engine development program is still in progress, with an estimated cost of $6 billion. The total cost of producing 200+ AMCA Mk1 and Mk2 aircraft is expected to be around $40 billion. While India is making progress, it's essential to accelerate development to keep pace with global advancements in fighter jet technology .

concision:
Next generation fighter jets will feature cutting-edge technologies like AI, advanced stealth, omnidirectional sensors, and machine learning. Potential capabilities include:

- Galvanized stealth
- Variable-cycle engines
- Advanced human-systems integration
- Optional manning
- AI and cyber warfare capabilities
- Laser and hypersonic missile carriers
-Combat mission analytical sensor.
-hypersonic speed

Meanwhile, india should also developing its own sixth-generation fighter jet along with AMCA , which will feature:

- next gen Stealth capabilities including Meta-material Surface Cloaking System (MSCS)
- Advanced sensors and electronic warfare systems
-diverterless supersonic inlet (DSI) to conceal its engine fan blades
- Intelligent weapons systems
- Software-driven interactive cockpits
-new heat-sensitive infrared radar systems
- Adaptability with changeable software and hardware
- Loyal wingman concept with UAVs for hostiles and riskier mission profiles
-capable to carry 3 Bhramos-2K hypersonic+nuke missile ( 2000km range ) .
-equipped with an anti-missile laser, and said would be able to operate at very high altitudes.

 

[vyoma]

It is news now after decades of working on this platform. I thought ADA and DRDO moved to concurrent engineering. It appears that they have only one team for all our taxes.

I'm astonished at the jugaad strategies. We need Elon Musk kind not Modi kind to lead. Kick their butts to work 18 hours a day.