AMCA :: Fifth Generation Fighter Under Development in India

[angeldemon_007]

X-47B UCAS

Program Overview:
The X-47B will be a strike fighter-sized transformational, carrier-capable unmanned air vehicle with the potential to perform multiple roles including Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, and Time Sensitive Targeting/Strike.

Navy UCAS Program:
Born from the former Joint Unmanned Combat Air Systems (J-UCAS) program, the Navy Unmanned Combat Air System program will develop a strike fighter-sized unmanned air vehicle that will demonstrate carrier-based launch and recovery in the 2013 timeframe. Successful UCAS carrier landing demonstrations will set the stage for a potential future acquisition programs.

Objectives:
Objectives of the Navy UCAS program are to 1) continue maturation of relevant carrier landing and integration technologies; 2) conduct UCAS carrier landings; and 3) demonstrate the technical feasibility of carrier landings with a tail-less, low observable relevant planform prototype.

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Unmanned strike jet nearly set for 1st flight
By Christopher P. Cavas - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Dec 16, 2010 13:52:01 EST

The first unmanned aircraft designed as a carrier-based strike jet is almost ready to take to the air for the first time, Navy officials have confirmed.

Northrop Grumman’s X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration drone has been performing taxi tests for several weeks at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., as engineers run the aircraft through a long series of pre-flight tests and checks.

Program officials had hoped for a flight by mid-December, but weather and other factors have delayed the event. Officials were reluctant to specify an exact date, but are hopeful the flight will take place before the end of the year.

Two X-47Bs have been built by Northrop’s Aerospace Systems sector under a 2007 development contract. The stealthy aircraft, which resembles a miniature B-2 bomber — also built by Northrop — is intended to test the concept of operating a small, unmanned, combat jet from aircraft carriers.

Although numerous technical and command-and-control issues need to be addressed to bring the concept to maturity, war planners have routinely been using X-47s in war games as part of a carrier strike group. In some cases, they have even swapped out the manned air wing for an all-UCAS wing, with, reportedly, great success.

Northrop’s work on the program includes the design and development of airborne precision-guided positioning system algorithms to help navigate the aircraft, and autonomous aerial refueling technology to keep the planes aloft — perhaps for several days at a time.

The first plane was to have taken to the air in late 2009 under the original contract, with the first at-sea tests on a carrier to have been in 2011, but those dates have been pushed back. Initial seagoing tests now are scheduled for early 2013.

The single-engine, tailless X-47B has a wingspan of 62 feet and is 38 feet long. It is designed to carry more than 4,500 pounds of weapons in its payload bay, reach high subsonic speeds, and fly to altitudes of about 40,000 feet. Without refueling, it should be able to operate at ranges up to 2,100 nautical miles and stay in the air for more than six hours.

Lockheed Martin, Pratt & Whitney and GKN Aerospace are teamed with prime contractor Northrop on the UCAS-D program.

 

[angeldemon_007]

In another word, 6th generation plane. I'll bet that US will develop a 6th generation plane before AMCA come out if India choose to develop AMCA along.

There is no doubt about it. The only thing which we care is, ADA stick to its timeline and produce a respectable stealth fighter by itself or through JV.

India has the most success when work with partner countries. But it has less success when work along.

Its true, India has a great success with JV, but its wrong to think India cannot work alone based on just LCA. LCA faced a lot of trouble during its development.

I think any 5th gen plane should be partner with Russia or the US instead of go it along. Otherwise, its possible that AMCA will be plagued like the LCA program.

US does not need any partners. We already partnered with them in FGFA. For UCAV it might be a fine decision to join hand with UK or France or Russia.
By the way, as far as i know, ADA started to get consultancy from SAAB for AMCA. Also the project has just started, we might see a JV in the future. Its too early to say anything.

 

[faithfulguy]

There is no doubt about it. The only thing which we care is, ADA stick to its timeline and produce a respectable stealth fighter by itself or through JV.

India has shown that it can produce capable weapons with JV but its less capable withouth JV. The difference is very pronounced. I would highly suggest that India do a JV with the US instead of Russia in order to build the most advance weaponry for India. If India choose to go it along for AMCA, than it will be another long wait.

 

[IndianArmy]

India has the most success when work with partner countries. But it has less success when work along. I think any 5th gen plane should be partner with Russia or the US instead of go it along. Otherwise, its possible that AMCA will be plagued like the LCA program.

How can You judge the Success Rate of India when India has not been into an Indigenous Venture Apart from LCA?? Its Easy to share the work load but its difficult to share critical and core technologies which one acquires only when Going Single ....

This is peace time, A near war, we can manage with the Junks and Front line fighters for the next decade, But after that?? Would You be sure of sharing the same diplomatic relations as You share now? For the situation to go your way, You need to have infrastructure and Technology, Not just fighter aircrafts ... "Knowledge determines the strength of Nation not military power alone"

 

[Ammyy]

India has shown that it can produce capable weapons with JV but its less capable withouth JV. The difference is very pronounced. I would highly suggest that India do a JV with the US instead of Russia in order to build the most advance weaponry for India. If India choose to go it along for AMCA, than it will be another long wait.

Every one need experience so we are .

And about JV dnt wary we will get what we want from our FGFA program and I dnt this we face delay in AMCA .

And if you are referring to LCA delay so its our first try so delay is obvious

China start Lavi project with Israel in 1980 and after they left that program your J10 completed in 2005

 

[PRACTICAL PATRIOT]

The ETA for sea trial is in 2013. This is a demo project for the USN. The USAF project is X-45. Both of these projects are prototypes for the next generation planes. In another word, 6th generation plane. I'll bet that US will develop a 6th generation plane before AMCA come out if India choose to develop AMCA along.

thanks for information.

and i can also bet that US will develop it before we roll out AMCA. USA is much more advanced in defence technology and INDIA is just entering this field so i dont mind that.
usa also took couple of decades to develop there own 5 th gen fighter and if INDIA takes that much or even few more years and develops its own fighter i will be happy only.

 

[angeldemon_007]

How can You judge the Success Rate of India when India has not been into an Indigenous Venture Apart from LCA??

@faithfulguy : Yeah IndianArmy is right man.

I would highly suggest that India do a JV with the US

Thats not gonna happen. US does not even did partnership with its closest allies and we don't have such a good relationship with them as you think. They are not even offering us F36, forget about anything else.
Also when US got 2 5th gen fighter, why would they wanna go for one more JV ??/

If India choose to go it along for AMCA, than it will be another long wait.

I would say one more time. India is in talk with SAAB for consultation. Apart from this, right now not even the design is being finalised and to say the project is being sanctioned but i have a feeling that won't be a problem.

Lets just wait a couple of years, we might see a JV with French or Swedish or might even be EADS consortium. We should also consider talking to JAPAN as both countries have the same problems and both are planning a 5th gen fighter.

 

[angeldemon_007]

usa also took couple of decades to develop there own 5 th gen fighter and if INDIA takes that much or even few more years and develops its own fighter i will be happy only.

You might be right but India might even complete this project quickly as compared to US. The reason is, it was different with US and Russia. They were the first. Now we are getting a ready-made meal. Russia has done a lot of research we just need to join the class. Also the timeline is good for AMCA.
Whatever we learn step by step in FGFA project we could simultaneously implement it on AMCA and if we face a problem we could sort it out with Russian and thats why the timeline for first prototype of AMCA seems to me as reasonable.
Proposed timeline for first prototype is 2017 which if met would be even better than US and Russian projects.

The only problem that i see in this is the design because it takes a lot time to decide on a design for a project of this magnitude and i don't know what ADA is thinking, they have declared they will start the work from mid 2011, why are they waiting ??

IAF is demanding a fully stealth fighter, that means in the category of F22 not F35.

Although nobody can say right now about what kind of problem we might face in the future. But 99% its possible that there will be delays. What i am concerned is by how much ??/

 

[angeldemon_007]

Nice video of F35 :
[video=metacafe;1233062/f35_lightning_ii/]http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1233062/f35_lightning_ii/[/video]

US military unveils possible F-35B redesign in sweeping budget reforms
BY ADMIN Lockheed Martin may need to redesign the airframe structure and propulsion system of the F-35B short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL), says US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
The changes would raise the weight and cost of the variant ordered by the US Marine Corps, Gates says. As a result, the F-35B will be placed on the equivalent of a two-year probation, with termination possible if the programme fails to recover, he says.
"The Marine Corps made a compelling case that they need some time to get things right with the STOVL and we will give them that opportunity," Gates says.
Meanwhile, the STOVL variant will be moved to the end of Lockheed's production system, Gates says. The US Navy will buy more Boeing F/A-18s in the interim, he adds. The Department of Defense also plans to cap F-35 orders this year at 32 aircraft, or only one more aircraft than ordered in Fiscal 2010 under the fourth lot of low-rate initial production.
The F-35 restructuring was unveiled as part of a package of budget proposals unveiled by Gates on 6 January aimed at reinvesting $100 billion taken from "unneeded programmes" over the next five years into new priorities.
Gates also announced that the Air Force will relaunch a next-generation bomber in the Fiscal 2012 budget request to the US Congress. The follow-on bomber is a "high priority for future investment given the anti-access challenges the department faces", Gates says.
The US Navy also plans to accelerate development and production of a next generation jammer (NGJ) to replace ALQ-99 pods flown on the EA-6B and EA-18G escort jammers.
In addition to buying more F/A-18E/F Super Hornets in place of F-35Bs in the near-term, the navy also will extend the life of 150 F/A-18's currently in service, Gates says.
The bulk of the budget proposals in the aerospace sector, however, fell on the F-35 programme. Gates estimated that the changes, which include a more realistic "repricing" plan and production schedule, will generate $4 billion in savings.
"We recognize that long-term confidence in the program must be earned over time by executing and meeting commitments," Lockheed says in a statement. The new plan unveiled by Gates represents "an essential foundational requirement to ensure future success".
Gates noted that the F-35A conventional take off and landing (CTOL) variant ordered by the Air Force and the F-35C variant ordered by the Navy are proceeding "satisfactorily".
"By comparison, the Marine Corps variant has experienced significant testing problems," Gates says.
In November, Lockheed revealed that the F-35B ground test aircraft had suffered fatigue cracks in the 496 bulkhead, an aluminium structure manufactured by Alcoa. The cracking issue was under investigation as Gates' staff reviewed the overall programme's cost and schedule.
Both F35 and F22 no doubt one of the most sexy aircrafts ever made.

WE should really buy this fighter for our navy...

 

[indushek]

How can You judge the Success Rate of India when India has not been into an Indigenous Venture Apart from LCA?? Its Easy to share the work load but its difficult to share critical and core technologies which one acquires only when Going Single ....

This is peace time, A near war, we can manage with the Junks and Front line fighters for the next decade, But after that?? Would You be sure of sharing the same diplomatic relations as You share now? For the situation to go your way, You need to have infrastructure and Technology, Not just fighter aircrafts ... "Knowledge determines the strength of Nation not military power alone"

Sir i am so glad to see u back. Hope ur fine and doing well.

 

[SpArK]

Initial money cleared by the Government for technology development for Medium Combat Aircraft.

 

[kingdurgaking]

Initial money cleared by the Government for technology development for Medium Combat Aircraft.

Statement is hanging some where?? what is the reason for this statement?

 

[SpArK]

 

[SpArK]

 

[IND151]