India’s Cabinet Committee on Security on March 7 approved the project to design and develop the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft more popularly known as AMCA as a fifth-generation, medium weight low observable fighter jet.
To be designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) which functions as a Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) arm, the government has allocated Rs 15,000 crore as initial funding with more money to be provided as and when required.
The aircraft will propel India into a select group of nations that have or are developing 5th generation fighter jets, based on futuristic technology in partnership with various private and public sector agencies.
It is designed as a medium-weight, multi-role fighter jet with advanced features such as enhanced sensor fusion, advanced work material, advanced communication system that is difficult to intercept, edge computing capability in mission computer, leading to enhanced and faster situation awareness, and reduced cockpit workload for pilots.
Editor-in-Chief Nitin A. Gokhale also explains why the Indian Air Force prefers to describe AMCA as a ‘low observable’ aircraft and not a stealth fighter jet in this episode of Simply Nitin.
