The RCS measurement facility looks pretty similar to what USA uses. The transmitter antenna is located halfway on the strip in the DRDO facility. 
I think this is full stealth config with actual RAM coating
people are so fking wierd!! Everyone knows its not a prototype but attention hungry people are still calling it a prototype. Its a full scale 1:1 engineering model. Just a mockup for RCS testing and fine tuning. Probably the one made by VEM.
They aren't technically wrong. That model is likely a high fidelity engineering model i.e. it closely resembles the finished prototype. It just can't fly. Here's why -
You don't use a full scale model for geometric RCS estimation, that's done early on.
This is what you look for in a full scale RCS test :
1. Accurately representation of RAM coatings/RAS.
2. Surface gaps, fasteners, manufacturing tolerances, and panel joints
3. Engine inlet treatments and exhaust features
And remember, AMCA has a baked-in RAM i.e. RAS, so those would be required to be manufactured at full scale.
This things are hard to catch with a subscale model because they use frequency approximation technique i.e. to mimic the impact of X-band, they would use something like high MMW.
Almost everything can be achieved on time with AMCA mark 2 5.5 gen, except the engine domain. Some one in the higher echelons should pull up whole funding process once again and escalate the issue pertaining to jet engine technology. 4th largest economy must have a jet engine.
Okay, turns out this is the model that was made by VEM for RCS testing. This uses the older design that was cleared in 2017. It was contracted in 2018 and construction started in 2019. And was displayed in AI 2025. Since then it's undergone 2 design iterations.
Now i remember in that interview a DRDO scientist was saying if they integrated the engine it can fly?
Can model made for RCS testing be flight capable?
Now i remember in that interview a DRDO scientist was saying if they integrated the engine it can fly?
It's unclear if it has flight controls and substitute for avionics. My guess is unlikely.
Now i remember in that interview a DRDO scientist was saying if they integrated the engine it can fly?
I think it's somewhat similar to the first KAAN demonstrator (which was never meant to fly but made to do so due to political reasons).
We'd never go down that route, but if we were, then modifying this to carry out a limited flight profile should be possible. It's just theoretical though, cuz it's highly unlikely we'd ever do something that haphazard. We don't have that kind of political inteterference in defence programs.
Now i remember in that interview a DRDO scientist was saying if they integrated the engine it can fly?
I tell you what is the complication here.
You produce a fuselage ( non pre stuffed) and test it, you iterate the fuselage to bring down the RCS, you finally achieve the target. You bring in the engine, install it and do the RCS testing, the engine flashes on Radar beyond the permissible limit, then you again change the fuselage and this time RCS from fuselage flashes from some corner, and then there is a deadlock. After 5 years of testing the engineers finally permit the prototype design to be produced. This is why there are so many prototypes.
So we haven't selected a company yet so far? Anyway I don't see Russia being brought in considering the Izdeliye 177 engine and the engine meant for Tejas Mk2 or AMCA is from completely different classes, the only viable contenders are RR and Safran and I'm still conflicted on which one to choose looking at all different factors that come into play.
The Russian engine may be used for our 6th gen AHCA mk1 if that project becomes operational where the mk2 version might have indigenous technology incorporated in it.
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AMCA engine deal hits roadblock over GE’s threefold price demand
NEW DELHI: Negotiations for the GE F414 engines powering India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) have hit a wall, with the US aerospace
Negotiations for the GE F414 engines powering India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) have hit a wall, with the US aerospace giant seeking prices nearly three times higher than earlier estimates, putting both costs and timelines for the flagship fighter programme at risk.
Though technical negotiations have been virtually completed, commercial discussions have stalled over engine pricing, technology transfer and manufacturing arrangements.
Sources in the defence establishment said the F414 engine was initially estimated to cost around Rs 70-80 crore per unit. But GE has now quoted prices almost three times higher, emerging as the principal sticking point in the commercial negotiations.
The negotiations cover not only engine procurement but also technology transfer, licensed manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, spares, warranties, delivery schedules and future price-escalation mechanisms.
The issue assumes significance because the AMCA prototype programme alone requires 15 F414 engines for five flying prototypes, even before accounting for future requirements of the Tejas Mk-2 and Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) programmes.
Beyond the AMCA, the F414 is also slated to power the Tejas Mk-2 and TEDBF, taking India’s projected requirement for the engine to well over 200 units in the coming years.
“The company knows the programme is built around the F414 and that changing engines now would be extremely difficult. That gives GE significant leverage during commercial negotiations,” a source said.
Sources further said GE has sought around Rs 6,000 crore for setting up a dedicated F414 assembly and manufacturing line in India, which would cater to future requirements of the Tejas Mk-2, initial AMCA production batches and the TEDBF programme.
Indian negotiators are understood to have explored reducing the initial order quantity to ease the immediate financial burden, but discussions over pricing remain unresolved.
“Changing the engine at this stage is not like replacing a component. The F414 has already been factored into the design and development plans for the AMCA Mk-1 as well as the Tejas Mk-2. Any new engine would require fresh integration, software work, testing and certification,” a source said.
“The AMCA design itself has already been frozen. If another engine is eventually selected, it will have to be adapted to the aircraft’s existing configuration rather than the aircraft being redesigned around the engine,” the source added.
realisticly both Amca and tejas mk2 won't get inducted before ~2040AMCA engine deal hits roadblock over GE’s threefold price demand
NEW DELHI: Negotiations for the GE F414 engines powering India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) have hit a wall, with the US aerospacewww.newindianexpress.com
Negotiations for the GE F414 engines powering India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) have hit a wall, with the US aerospace giant seeking prices nearly three times higher than earlier estimates, putting both costs and timelines for the flagship fighter programme at risk.
Though technical negotiations have been virtually completed, commercial discussions have stalled over engine pricing, technology transfer and manufacturing arrangements.
Sources in the defence establishment said the F414 engine was initially estimated to cost around Rs 70-80 crore per unit. But GE has now quoted prices almost three times higher, emerging as the principal sticking point in the commercial negotiations.
The negotiations cover not only engine procurement but also technology transfer, licensed manufacturing, maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, spares, warranties, delivery schedules and future price-escalation mechanisms.
The issue assumes significance because the AMCA prototype programme alone requires 15 F414 engines for five flying prototypes, even before accounting for future requirements of the Tejas Mk-2 and Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) programmes.
Beyond the AMCA, the F414 is also slated to power the Tejas Mk-2 and TEDBF, taking India’s projected requirement for the engine to well over 200 units in the coming years.
“The company knows the programme is built around the F414 and that changing engines now would be extremely difficult. That gives GE significant leverage during commercial negotiations,” a source said.
Sources further said GE has sought around Rs 6,000 crore for setting up a dedicated F414 assembly and manufacturing line in India, which would cater to future requirements of the Tejas Mk-2, initial AMCA production batches and the TEDBF programme.
Indian negotiators are understood to have explored reducing the initial order quantity to ease the immediate financial burden, but discussions over pricing remain unresolved.
“Changing the engine at this stage is not like replacing a component. The F414 has already been factored into the design and development plans for the AMCA Mk-1 as well as the Tejas Mk-2. Any new engine would require fresh integration, software work, testing and certification,” a source said.
“The AMCA design itself has already been frozen. If another engine is eventually selected, it will have to be adapted to the aircraft’s existing configuration rather than the aircraft being redesigned around the engine,” the source added.
Sign the Rafale deal as soon as possible and it will help in reducing stress on Mirage and Mig-29 fleet which will provide more time for Tejas Mk2 program.
The cost of the each engine would be some 20 million or so. That's literally in the realm of F135. GE is asking too much money. I think at this point they should just directly import a batch of it..
Big trouble around the F414 price.
www.newindianexpress.com
AMCA engine deal hits roadblock over GE’s threefold price demand
NEW DELHI: Negotiations for the GE F414 engines powering India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) have hit a wall, with the US aerospace