SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) MkII, slated for operational debut around 2032-33, will be the first fighter jet to integrate an AI-operated unmanned bomber—a Heavy Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV)—as part of a cutting-edge “family of systems” approach. This innovation represents a significant leap forward in both combat autonomy and aircraft-drone coordination, with the introduction of the Ghatak UCAV, a stealthy drone bomber designed for a variety of high-stakes missions.
The Ghatak UCAV, a 13-ton unmanned aircraft based on a flying-wing design, will be a key asset in the AMCA MkII’s arsenal. Designed with composite materials and stealth coatings, the Ghatak will have a reduced radar cross-section, making it difficult for enemy radars to detect. This UCAV will be able to perform multiple roles, such as Striking enemy radars, Conducting reconnaissance missions, and Acting as a mini-bomber, capable of taking out armored columns and critical enemy infrastructure.
While HAL is working on a smaller Loyal Wingman program with an All-up weight (AUW) of 1-2 tons, designed to support fighters by flying alongside them, these UAVs will require dedicated motherships for guidance. The AMCA MkII-Ghatak UCAV collaboration is at a much more advanced level, with AI-based automation enabling the Ghatak UCAV to plan and execute missions independently, without the need for constant control from the mothership.
What sets the AMCA MkII-Ghatak UCAV combo apart from traditional aircraft-drone pairings is the level of AI-based automation involved. The Ghatak UCAV will operate largely autonomously, making mission decisions based on real-time data inputs and analysis. Unlike current drone systems, which require a mothership platform to guide their every move, the Ghatak will use its onboard AI to create flight plans and choose attack strategies with minimal human input.
Sources familiar with the program told idrw.org that the AI system embedded in the AMCA MkII will continuously provide the UCAV with the necessary data to execute its missions. The two AI systems—one onboard the AMCA MkII and the other within the Ghatak UCAV—will be in constant communication, “talking” to each other to fuse data and decide on the best course of action in real-time. This concept of machine-to-machine interaction will enable them to evaluate battlefield scenarios and adapt their strategies accordingly, ensuring optimal mission outcomes with little to no pilot intervention.
Though largely autonomous, the Ghatak UCAV will still have a human-in-command to monitor its activities. However, the role of the human operator will not be to guide the UCAV’s every move but rather to oversee and ensure the system performs within set parameters. The AI systems will carry the bulk of the decision-making burden, allowing the human operator to intervene only when necessary.
The AMCA MkII will not only be a fifth-generation fighter with stealth, supercruise, and advanced avionics but also act as a mothership for the Ghatak UCAV. The AI system embedded within the AMCA MkII will oversee the mission planning, target acquisition, and tactical decisions of the UCAV, enabling a fully integrated combat team. This AI system will be subject to regular upgrades, ensuring that the AMCA MkII remains adaptable to emerging battlefield requirements, enhancing its partnership with the Ghatak UCAV over time.
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