SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), will be powered by a sixth-generation jet engine, bringing it on par with the most advanced combat aircraft being developed globally. This was reaffirmed by Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in a recent statement.
Dr. Kamat emphasized that India will leapfrog fifth-generation propulsion technology entirely for the AMCA program, aiming straight for a sixth-generation engine. “The Kaveri engine is a fourth-generation engine. The AMCA will require a sixth-generation engine,” he said, highlighting a bold and strategic move to future-proof India’s next-gen air combat capabilities.
This is the second time Dr. Kamat has reiterated the plan to equip the AMCA with a sixth-generation engine, which is still under development in advanced aerospace nations such as the United States, UK, and France. The cornerstone of these new-generation engines is the Variable Cycle Engine (VCE) architecture—capable of switching between high-thrust and high-efficiency modes depending on the mission requirement.
Variable cycle engines, still in early development globally, represent a quantum leap over fifth-generation engines like the Pratt & Whitney F135 or Russia’s AL-41F1. By dynamically adjusting airflow and bypass ratios, VCEs deliver up to 25% better fuel efficiency, extended range, and enhanced thermal management for directed-energy weapons—key for sixth-generation fighters. Only the U.S., with programs like the Adaptive Engine Transition Program (AETP), and Europe’s FCAS engine efforts are exploring similar technology, making DRDO’s pursuit a high-stakes gamble to join this elite club.
Dr. Kamat’s reiterated commitment to a sixth-generation engine reflects lessons from the Kaveri program, which, despite achieving 81 kN thrust in tests, fell short of fifth-generation benchmarks due to challenges in materials and afterburner efficiency. “We’ve learned from Kaveri’s journey,” he noted, emphasizing GTRE’s pivot to cutting-edge alloys, 3D-printed components, and AI-driven design optimization. DRDO is also exploring partnerships with global leaders like Safran (France) or Rolls-Royce (UK) to bridge technological gaps, with a ?10,000 crore investment planned for engine R&D over the next decade.
The decision to leapfrog fifth-generation engines has sparked debate. Some experts argue that mastering fifth-generation technology first would ensure reliability, citing the Kaveri’s delays since the 1980s. Others laud DRDO’s foresight, noting that sixth-generation engines will align the AMCA with future threats, like China’s rumored sixth-generation J-XX or the U.S. NGAD program. Posts on X reflect mixed sentiment, with users praising the ambition but urging timelines be met to avoid past pitfalls.
For the AMCA, a sixth-generation engine is critical to its 25-tonne airframe, enabling supercruise (sustained Mach 1.2 without afterburners) and powering advanced systems like AESA radars and laser weapons. The Mk-2 variant, expected by 2040, aims to integrate sixth-generation features such as swarm drone control and optional manning, making the engine’s versatility paramount. DRDO plans to test a VCE prototype by 2032, with private players like Godrej Aerospace and L&T contributing to manufacturing.
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