Why Tejas MkII Matters for India's AMCA Development

India's pursuit of a homegrown, technologically superior fifth-generation fighter aircraft received a significant push with the recent Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approval for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) development program.

While the AMCA represents a leap in India's aerospace capabilities, its success heavily hinges on the less glamorous but equally crucial Tejas MkII program. The MkII acts as both a technological stepping stone and an essential "feeder" system, paving the path toward the AMCA's realization.

Beyond an Upgrade: The MkII as a Testbed​

The Tejas MkII isn't just an upgraded version of the existing Tejas fighter; it's a critical incubator for the advanced technologies that will define the AMCA.

By testing and refining these systems on the MkII, India significantly reduces the risks associated with integrating them directly into the more complex AMCA program. This approach accelerates development timelines and enhances the AMCA's chances of success.

Shared DNA: Line Replaceable Units​

One critical aspect of the technological bridge between the Tejas MkII and AMCA is their extensive use of shared Line Replaceable Units (LRUs). These modular components form the core of an aircraft's various systems.

Sharing LRUs streamlines the AMCA's development, reduces costs, and ensures a smoother technological transition between the two aircraft.

Cutting-Edge Tech: What the MkII Brings to the Table​

The Tejas MkII will be a flying laboratory for several technologies intended for the AMCA. Here's a look at some of the key advancements:

• Wide Area Display (WAD): A panoramic cockpit display offering pilots unprecedented situational awareness.
• Sensor Fusion: The integration of data from multiple sensors for a comprehensive battlefield overview.
• Side-stick Controller: Improved ergonomics for pilot comfort and precision control during maneuvers.
• Electronic Pilot: An AI-assisted system to aid pilots in flight control and decision-making.
• Digital Flight Control Computer (DFCC): Advanced computer systems ensuring stable, accurate flight control.
• Weapons Management Computer: Precision management and deployment of the AMCA's diverse weapon systems.
• Auxiliary Computer: Additional processing power for complex onboard calculations.
• Unified Video and Data Recorder: Capture of vital flight information for analysis and improvement.

Beyond Components: Cockpit and Radar​

In addition to specific LRUs, the MkII's "Smart Cockpit" – with advanced displays and human-machine interface (HMI) – will provide a blueprint for the AMCA's interface.

The improved Uttam AESA radar, based on Tejas Mk1A's radar and further enhanced with Gallium Nitride (GaN) technology, directly contributes to the AMCA's powerful sensor suite.

Conclusion​

The Tejas MkII is far more than just a stepping stone towards India's fifth-generation fighter ambitions; it's a critical proving ground for essential technologies.

The successful integration and testing of these systems on the MkII will not only reduce risk for the AMCA but will also provide invaluable data and experience for India's aerospace engineers.

This methodical approach is a testament to India's determination to develop a truly indigenous and cutting-edge fighter aircraft program.

 

[Blue Whale]

In 20 years when AMCA prototype will be made, LRDE will develop GaN radar, it is absolutely true, anything made for Tejas MK1A, MK2 and TEDBF/ORCA will be used in AMCA, hope and pray that MK2 and TEDBF/ORCA are made fast relevant to the time, otherwise GOI will be making AMCA when the the whole world will be flying 7th or 8th gen Aircraft.

You Sir, pure and simple, are an idiot!

 

[Sunnyj]

an AC surrounded by a battlegroup, consisting of multiple destroyers, frigates, ASW corvettes, awacs helicopters, submarines. And it is always moving at a pretty good speed. Dude, good luck if you think you can sink a 50,000 ton AC in between all of that, using 1 missile. If that missile is a brahmastra or something sudarshan chakra, then maybe it will be possible.

And yet Gotland class, French sub for Portuguese navy, German 212 sub got fix for US carriers in exercises even after all the carrier escorts.Don’t underestimate quite diesel electric subs.

 

[Rational Guy]

Key to Tejas-Mk2, AMCA-Mk-1, and Mk-2 long term will be the high thrust domestic engine (120-130KN) being developed with safran...If the JV can start producing this engine (post testing and certification) before 2035, then all AMCA's (especially Mk-2s) can have this engine and thus supercruise and the cooling to increase full spectrum stealth...India should also start thinking about 6th gen (at least start a project to plan) either by joining the GCAP (UK+Japan+Italy) or launch one domestically (formally by 2030) so we can field a fighter in the 2040-2045 timeframe, buth key again will be variable cycle engines (like the ones for NGAD) with high thrusts of 200KN...Long term Defense-Industrial roadmap, while transforming R&D via DRDO, Labs, private players and an innovation ecosystem is vital.

I think the current plan is to make AMCA MK2 into a 5.5 platform and maybe start a fresh for 6.5 or 7th gen.

 

[Sunnyj]

They said same thing that Mk2 is just a better version of mk1/mk1a and will be done rapidly, but still no sign of mk2 and barely of mk1a for that matter. It’s going to take a longggggggg time coming!!

 

[Apocalypse gupta]

And yet Gotland class, French sub for Portuguese navy, German 212 sub got fix for US carriers in exercises even after all the carrier escorts.Don’t underestimate quite diesel electric subs.

these kinds of exercises are done with very several handicaps for the stronger adversary, such as preferable rules of engagement for the underdog. If these handicaps are not given, then there will be no point in carrying out these exercises. Also, in these exercises, entire fleet does not participate, there are few ships. Also, in that particular case you are referring to, that sub had gotten within several kilometres of the carrier battle group. That is still far cry from launching a torpedo or cruise missile and sinking a carrier.

 

[Pink Panther]

You Sir, pure and simple, are an idiot!

You too Sir are worst than idiot for still believing our DSPU’s and their work culture even after seeing all their inefficiency and incompetency this many years, old habits never change.

 

[Akshat]

My thinking if they can fix the su-30mki engine then the same people can develop an better engine. Just learn to award talent, and drop hand holding.

Fixing minor issues and making a brand new engine are 2 very different things. Minor air flow rectifications and improving the quality of toolmanship is easy. Doing metallurgy from scratch is not. But you are right. Learn to award talent. It just doesn’t exist in GTRE. So give the deal to Tata or Adani.

 

[Pink Panther]

Well once you have to develop the niche technology without the support you really can't just predict the exact timeline,
Amca project according to news kick start almost 1.5 decade ago but true reality is Amca was just an copy version of FGFA. Sudden IAF decide it is not satisfied with the FGFA program so without any further tech it just turn within & as I believe Tejas program helped a lot to build the confidence that we can achieve it. In this means time we didn't even get the technologies from the MRFA(no one knows when this deal will be concluded) so developing things take time, I just hope that around 2030 we will se Tejas mk2 & Amca prototype flying it will be too good if three prototype flying in the air with tedbf. It's not going to be an easy journey but showing frustration & saying bad things will not make it better.

I am thinking practical with no delusions, Tejas MK2 prototype may be flying in 2030 but not AMCA, according to current AMCA design, it’s an evolution of TEDBF/ORCA, so until TEDBF prototype is ready and thoroughly tested for production(We know how long testing takes and then the repeated revisions by Armed forces), AMCA prototype won’t be ready any tome sooner. In realistic terms we can expect AMCA by the end of next decade if we do it all alone, if a foreign MRFA jet is decided and if that OEM helps on AMCA then we can expect may be 5 years sooner, we also have engine delay on top of that.

 

[Pink Panther]

I think we should shelve the TEDBF project so as to concentrate only on TejasMk2 & AMCA and develop deck based AMCA later as a supplementary development since the requirement for deck based fighters will not be substantial.

It is not possible as AMCA is based on TEDBF.

 

[Pink Panther]

With jets also they are super expensive targets. All one needs is a missile to sink an AC.

You mean Rafale right?.

 

[Pink Panther]

Tejas Mk2 development should be done on war footing ,now that it got the fund.

We should get GE F414 in war footing for that.

 

[Pink Panther]

Tejas mkII is supposed to be more aerodynamic and stealthier then Tejas mk1a. Tejas mk2 was envisioned as semi-stealth plane capable of super cruise. Tejas mk2 finial capabilities will be awaited. Nice they have sensor fusion, hopefully they will have AI targeting too on Tejas mk2.

Yes definitely in 2030-2035 time frame and then we need to work on TEDBF/ORCA befor making AMCA prototype.

 

[Pink Panther]

amca mk-2 will already be a 6th gen fighter. There is really no clarity on difference between 5th gen and 6th gen. Most experts agree that the difference is basically a quantitative one rather than a qualitative one. Basically- better stealth, better avionics, computing power, load carring capacity, range etc.

We will make AMCA MK1 first, AMCA MK2 will happen eventually.

 

[Pink Panther]

My thinking if they can fix the su-30mki engine then the same people can develop an better engine. Just learn to award talent, and drop hand holding.

HAL has assembled at least 8-10 foreign engines in the last 50 years, They should have been GE or Saturn or Rolls Royce or Shenyang by now, we don’t need world class advanced engines, if we can at-least make an engine like old SNECMA M88 that would be a good starting point.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

Why no country joining with amca development. So govt putting huge public money in this project and taking risk. Why pvt not participating in this big project ? So pvt also not ready. Any how timeline imprtant. Better time-bound fund releasing. No answer for many questions. Much more money also needed in future . Who going to provide. Again public money.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

No friendly country to invest surprising me. Drdo may try uae for joint development.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

Suitable engine also important. Trusting us very dangerous to our country.

 

[Atharv Vaidya]

You too Sir are worst than idiot for still believing our DSPU’s and their work culture even after seeing all their inefficiency and incompetency this many years, old habits never change.

What choice do we have, sir? Do we have any private players here? Like lockheed Martin or GE or Boeing? No, what left then? We have to believe what we have and pray to god, we are right 👍

 

[abhinav srivastava]

Hope they expedite Tejas MK2.

 

[Neil Degrass Thugson]

CCS gave a go ahead to AMCA project 2 days ago and release of 15000 crore fund and they blame only the PSUs for inefficiency. Govt wants to cut cost so they won't hire new recruits in any department but have enough resources to distribute freebies in form of ration, pani , bijli and even money.