With air power being regarded as the sword arm of offensive operations, as well as crucial in defence, in all modern military doctrines, developing more sophisticated fighter jets has been a continuing objective for top military powers. The term 'fifth generation fighter aircraft' (FGFA) is currently used to denote the few most technologically advanced fighter jets-a super elite category-that have been developed over the past 30 years. Such machines have multirole capability, advanced avionics and networked data fusion (enabling greater situation awareness on the battlefield).
But the one quality that sets a fifth generation jet apart from other modern fighters is its 'stealth' capability-the quality of being unseen and undetected by enemy's ground defence radars and aircraft. As can be imagined, making a FGFA is a complex task, and only a few fighters inhabit that class-the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and F22 Raptor (US), the Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon (China) and the Sukhoi Su-57 Felon (Russia). On February 21, Turkey conducted the maiden test flight of its indigenously developed fifth generation stealth fighter jet, Kaan. It is developed by Turkish Aerospace Industries and BAE Systems of the UK.
Here in India, aerospace engineers at the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) complex in Vimanpura, an aeronautical hub in Bengaluru, have been quietly working on designing India's own fifth generation stealth jet-the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)-since 2009. Now, in a push that could propel India into the exclusive club of nations that operate FGFAs, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the country's highest body on security matters, gave its nod to the next stage of the AMCA project on March 7 by sanctioning Rs 15,000 crore for its prototype development.
This story is from the April 15, 2024 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April 15, 2024 edition of India Today.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
ARTS AND THE MAN
In his centenary year, F.N. Souza: The Archetypal Artist tries to make sense of the recurring themes in the artist’s work
The Reluctant Art Critic
Advertising executive, art critic and possible catalyst of the modern Indian art movement, Rudolf von Leyden was an intriguing figure in pre-Independence Bombay
PORTRAIT OF AN ARTIST & POET
ANINDYO ROY’S THE VICEROY’S ARTIST IS A FICTIONALISED ACCOUNT OF EDWARD LEAR’S TRAVELS IN INDIA
Lady of the Light
This artist has transformed the humble bulb into a thing of beauty
S'more to Think Of
Called Marshmallow, this penthouse in Gurgaon with soft curves and plush aesthetics stays true to its name
A Marvelous Melange
From stylish living quarters to multipurpose adaptive space, this home in Mumbai turns every nook into a showstopper
TECH MEETS TEXTURE
Smart fabrics and intelligent textiles are changing the way we view home furnishings
Refresh and Revive
That old table, those cabinets or even the console can be given a new lease of life, one that is tailor-made to the latest trends
Standout Spaces
Want dramatic interiors but don’t know how? This home in Mumbai becomes a lesson in learning the nuances of adding magic inside.
Vernacular Wise
Forget international brands and design, the beauty and simplicity of local materials and ancient techniques is gaining momentum