LCAMk2 to roll out next year, first flight in 2023
- Integrity Education, Delhi
- 13, Sep 2021
- According to the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), LCA Tejas-Mk2 will be rolled out in 2022 and the first flight in early 2023.
- Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) will be rolled out in 2024 and first flight in 2025.
- ADA is an autonomous body of the Ministry of Defence.
LCA-Mk2
- It is a 4.5 generation aircraft which will be used by the Indian Air Force.
- It is a replacement for the Mirage 2000 class of aircraft.
- It has got a bigger engine and can carry 6.5 tonnes of payload.
- The technology is already developed in Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
- The LCA programme began in the 1980s to replace India's ageing MiG-21 fighters.
- The LCA is being designed and developed with ADA as the nodal agency and State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) being the principal partner.
- Its production is likely to start somewhere around 2025.
Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)
- It is a fifth generation aircraft. And will be used by the Indian Air Force.
- It is a stealth aircraft, i.e. designed for stealth and unlike the LCA, which is designed for maneuverability.
- It has a unique shape to achieve low radar cross-section and has an internal carriage of weapons.
- When the external weapons are removed, this aircraft has enough fuel and weapons inside to do a very capable operational role in stealth mode.