Model of the proposed AMCA for the IAF on display at Aero India 2021 (Photo: Vayu)
27 August 1990 marked a red letter day when Northrop Grumman conducted the first flight of the world’s first fifth generation fighter jet YF-23. Thus the US became the first nation to achieve this remarkable breakthrough in aviation technology. Though Russia and China have developed their own counterparts but are certainly no match for US assets at this moment. While, the progress of US, Russia and China in complex and sensitive stealth technology is in the limelight, at least four Asian nations other than China are working tenaciously to reach this zenith. Once successful, these five nations will proudly announce the Asian era of complex aviation technology.
China
China’s quest for superior aviation technology can be traced back to several decades. Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and Chengdu Aircraft Corporation were engaged in rivalry but at the end CAC won the contract. J-20 was inducted in 2017 and 150 units reported to be manufactured. Meanwhile, Shenyang developed another stealth platform popularly known as J-31. Initially it was to be an export platform only, but now reportedly will be used by PLAAF as well. China is working on a carrier borne version of it for Type 003 and future aircraft carriers. It is evident there are a lot of shortcomings in these platforms but China is gradually overcoming them.
India
India is currently engaged in development of multiple platforms. While the LCA Mk.1, Mk.1A and Mk. 2 will bridge the gap to replenish a large part of the IAF’s retiring fleet, IAF will need a next generation platform to meet future requirements. And this is where the AMCA is going to play a very important role. An initial amount of Rs 90 crore was allocated for the feasibility study, then sanction for the design phase accorded in December 2018 with an allocation of more than Rs 400 crore. It is reported an unmanned version also will be developed for the future. Five prototypes of AMCA will be developed in a proposed public-private joint venture. Taxi trials of the AMCA are aimed for 2024-25 with the first flight expected to be conducted by 2025-2026 and entering production by 2029. Series production of AMCA Mk.2 version is expected to be by 2035.
Turkey
TAI TF-X is a fifth generation multirole platform being developed by Turkey to replace the current F-16 fleet. According to recent reports the project has reached the System Requirements Review (SRR) phase and will be followed by the System Functional Review and Preliminary Design Review. The prototype is expected to be unveiled in March 2023. Turkey has recently announced that a foreign cooperation for the development is important to overcome technology shortcomings. BAE Systems is providing technological assistance. Dassault Systems is to provide flight control software which later might be replaced by indigenous one by TAI and Havelsan. TAI will develop actuators in partnership with Altınay of Ukraine. Aselsan will provide avionics and computer hardware, TÜBITAK to provide central computers and Pavotek is developing power distribution system. Kale Group in partnership with Rolls Royce to develop the engine. But the situation is much more critical than it looks. Ankara is not on good terms with US and European Nations. US not only has removed Turkey from the F-35 programme but also put sanctions thus squeezing foreign technology assistance to Turkey. A total of 250 platforms are to be inducted.
Mockup of Turkey’s TAI TF-X at the Paris Airshow 2019 (Photo: Vayu)
Japan’s proposed F-X programme (Photo: Japan MoD)
Japan
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries of Japan is developing the nation’s next generation fighter aircraft F-X based on the technology demonstrator X-2 Shinshin and i3 conceptual proposal. Despite being a world leader in the field of technology, the limitations in its aviation sector have forced Japan to seek foreign collaborations. Potential partners include Lockheed Martin, Boeing Defence and BAE Systems. Northrop Grumman will provide technical assistance and Lockheed Martin will help in development of the airframe. IHI Corporation is developing the engine which once successful will enable thrust vectoring. Toshiba and Fujitsu is engaged in development of Gallium Nitride based Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar. The radar claims to be supplemented by an infrared sensor and an electromagnetic sensor (ESM) thus providing robust defence against enemy air-to-air missiles. Many other companies will be involved in the development of several critical technologies. The platform will have a very low radar profile, light weight by composite materials, fiber-optic flight control systems, sophisticated mission statement, advanced electronic warfare capability, new generation helmet mounted display (HMD), (IFCF) system etc. The first flight is expected by 2028. Japan plans to induct 90 such platforms, all entering into service by 2035.
South Korea
South Korea is another player progressing fast in the aviation field and unveiled the KAI KF-21 Boramae on 9 April 2021. Like Turkey and Japan, South Korea too is developing critical technologies with foreign collaborators. Hanwha Techwin signed an agreement with General Electrics to manufacture a variant of GE F414 to power the platform. Hanwha Systems will develop the AESA radar in collaboration with Elbit Systems and Elbit will also provide terrain-following/ terrain avoidance (TF/TA). Whereas LIG Nex1 will work with Saab for software development and evaluation, Triumph Group will provide airframe mounted accessory drives (AMADs) which plays a key role in transfer of engine power to other systems. Texstars will develop the canopy and high resistance transparencies. Besides Cobham, Martin-Baker, Curtiss- Wright and MBDA, many others are involved in this highly sensitive project. If everything goes well, the first flight of the system will be conducted in 2022. 120 platforms are expected to be delivered by 2032. Indonesia had been invited for joint development of the project but due to financial differences it didn›t progress much. Indonesia may acquire 48 IF-X’s, a variant, if negotiations are successful. While Asian nations are progressing fast in this field, it cannot be denied that limitations in indigenous technologies will hinder these programmes. This is why almost every nation is determined to develop necessary systems in collaboration with foreign counterpart specialists in their respective fields. Whatever be the challenges, in next 15 years, Asia is determined to shine in aviation technology.
South Korea’s KAI KF-21 Boramae
Article by Sankalan Chattopadhyay (Twitter @Vinoddx9)