SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
At Aero India 2025, held between February 10 and 14, a full-scale model of India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) was prominently displayed, drawing significant attention from the defense community. However, alongside the showcase, a project official from the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) revealed to Janes that the AMCA is set to undergo another critical design review (CDR) due to insights gained from enhanced stress and load testing.
The official explained that initial stress/load tests on the AMCA were conducted at 90% of the projected load, adhering to the agency’s established methodology. However, after further analysis, ADA management has decided to revise the design standards to ensure the airframe and overall structure can support 100% of the required loads. This decision underscores the commitment to safety, performance, and reliability of the aircraft, which is intended to be a cornerstone of India’s future air combat capabilities.
Stress and load testing for the AMCA have been executed using the finite element method (FEM), a sophisticated numerical technique that allows engineers to simulate and analyze the aircraft’s structural behavior under different load conditions by breaking down complex structures into simpler, manageable elements. The findings from these tests necessitated design modifications, prompting the need for another CDR to finalize the aircraft’s design. The review is slated to conclude in April 2025, according to the ADA official.
This additional design review has implications for the AMCA’s production timeline. Originally, metal-cutting activities, a significant milestone in aircraft manufacturing, were expected to commence in 2024 following the project’s approval by the Indian government’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in March 2024, which sanctioned funding up to INR150 trillion (approximately USD1.7 billion). However, these activities are now rescheduled for later in 2025 to accommodate the design changes and ensure compliance with the updated specifications.
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