The Medium Combat Aircraft (MCA) is a twin-engined 5th generation stealth multirole fighter being developed by India. It will complement the HAL Tejas, the Sukhoi/HAL FGFA and the Sukhoi Su-30MKI and the as yet undecided MRCA in the Indian Air Force. The main purpose of this aircraft is to replace the aging SEPECAT Jaguar & MiG-27. Design work on the MCA has been started.
Development
In August 2006, India's then defence minister Mr. Pranab Mukherjee announced in Parliament that the government is evaluating experiences gained from the Tejas programme for the MCA.
In October 2008, the Indian Air Force asked the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) to prepare a detailed project report on the development of a Medium Combat Aircraft (MCA) incorporating stealth features.
In February 2009, ADA director P.S Subramanyam said at a Aero-India 2009 seminar, that they are working closely with Indian Air Force to develop a Medium Combat Aircraft. He added that according to the specification provided by the Indian Air Force, it would be a twin-engine aircraft powered by the GTX Kaveri Engine in the twenty ton category.
Design
The design of MCA will be different from the HAL Tejas. The airframe will be designed for a very small radar cross-section. The aircraft may feature serpentine shaped air-intakes and horizontal stabilizers.
A twin-engine design using the GTX Kaveri engine with thrust vectoring is proposed to allow the aircraft supercruise capabilities. The design intent is to carry weapons internally, hence increasing stealth. The twin engine MCA will weigh 19-20 tonnes. A wind-tunnel testing model of the MCA airframe was seen at Aero-India 2009.
Features
The Medium Combat Aircraft has been shaped for low radio observability. It will carry an internal weapons bay. It would feature supercruise and thrust vectoring capabilities. Large amounts of composites and other materials will be used for enhancing stealth features.The aircraft will also feature Integrated Modular Avionics and Data fusion capabilities. Its avionics will be specially designed for complete situational awareness, pilot decision aid and aircraft management. It will have advanced sensors and Net-centric warfare capabilities. The aircraft will be equipped with missiles like DRDO Astra and other future advanced missiles, stand-off weapons and precision weapons.
Advanced Technologies
Airframe
The aircraft has a serpentine shaped air-intake. It will have an internal weapons bay. The airframe is specially designed for stealth and extreme maneuverability. It will also feature advanced radomes.
Propulsion
The aircraft's powerplant will be the GTX Kaveri, an advanced version of the Kaveri Engine featuring thrust vectoring, supercruise and a very low infrared signature.
Aero-Flight Dynamics
The aircraft will have the capability of internal weapon release in supersonic flight. It will have high asymmetry controls and a re-configurable control system
Stealth
The airframe would feature radar absorbing composites and paints. The airframe has been specially designed for low radar cross-section. The aircraft would also have an on-board Micro-Electro-Mechanical system
The aircraft will feature Integrated Modular Avionics and Data fusion capabilities. It will have a decision support system to aid the pilot and advanced sensors. It will also feature Flush Conformal Antenna and pods in addition to advanced communication and Net centric warfare capabilities.
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