In the evolving realm of advanced military aviation, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) from India and the F-35 Lightning II from the United States stand as key symbols of their respective nations’ ambitions.

The AMCA, still in the development phase, embodies India’s strategic vision for a homegrown, cutting-edge fighter jet designed to meet future combat challenges. On the other hand, the F-35, an already operational marvel of American aerospace engineering, has set the standard for modern stealth and multi-role versatility.

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“In this comparison, we will delve into the two different fighters, the AMCA and the F-35, examining their technological innovations, strategic roles, and potential impacts on global air combat dynamics.”

The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is an advanced Indian fighter jet, featuring a single-seat, twin-engine design with all-weather capabilities and fifth-generation stealth technology. It is being developed for both the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy, aiming to enhance India’s combat prowess with its multirole versatility.

In contrast, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II represents an American family of single-seat, single-engine stealth aircraft, known for its air superiority and strike mission capabilities. The F-35 also excels in electronic warfare and offers advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance functions.

Length:

• The AMCA measures 17.6 meters (57 feet ) in length, while the F-35A is slightly shorter at 15.7 meters (51.4 feet).

Height:

• The AMCA stands at 4.5 meters (14 feet 9 inches) in height, whereas the F-35A is marginally taller at 4.4 meters (14.4 feet).

Wing Area:

• The AMCA’s wing area is 55 square meters (590 square feet), whereas the F-35A has a significantly larger wing area of 43 square meters (460 square feet).

Empty Weight:

• The AMCA has an estimated empty weight of 12,000 kilograms (26,455 pounds), while the F-35A’s empty weight is 13,290 kilograms (29,300 pounds).

Maximum Takeoff Weight:

• The AMCA’s estimated maximum takeoff weight is 25,000 kilograms (55,116 pounds), compared to the F-35A’s maximum takeoff weight of 29,900 kilograms (65,918 pounds).

Fuel Capacity:

• The AMCA has a fuel capacity of 6,500 kilograms (14,300 pounds), while the F-35A carries 8,278 kilograms (18,250 pounds) of internal fuel.

Maximum Speed:

• The AMCA can achieve a maximum speed of Mach 2.15 (2,600 km/h or 1,600 mph), whereas the F-35A reaches a maximum speed of Mach 1.6 at high altitude and Mach 1.06 (700 knots or 806 mph) at sea level.

Range:

• The AMCA boasts a ferry range of 5,324 kilometers (3,308 miles) and a combat range of 1,620 kilometers (1,010 miles). In comparison, the F-35A has a range of 2,800 kilometers (1,700 miles) and a combat range of 1,410 kilometers (870 miles) in air-to-air configuration.

Service Ceiling:

The AMCA can reach a service ceiling of 20,000 meters (65,000 feet), while the F-35A operates up to 15,000 meters (50,000 feet).

In a bold step towards innovation, India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program is set to revolutionize its production process with 3D printing technology. By integrating 3D printing, HAL anticipates substantial benefits ranging from cost reduction and faster turnaround times to optimized material usage. The adoption of 3D printing not only promises to streamline production but also offers opportunities to mitigate material waste, a critical challenge in aerospace manufacturing.

The F-35 A design is robust; in contrast to its 8,000-hour design life, its service life has been evaluated to reach 24,000 hours. The F-35A has an extremely low radar cross-section, at 3.8mm, which reduces its radar profile. Multiple software and processor updates have been made to the F-35A. Progress includes improved weapon capability and electronic warfare systems. The current version, known as Block 3F baseline, is moving towards Block 4, with software and weapon improvements planned twice yearly in 2024.

The AMCA is currently being developed and will have sophisticated avionics, including an electronic pilot function. A fighter platform typically needs two pilots. One is a pilot who flies, while the other is a mission pilot (who directs the flying pilot). Only one cockpit and an electronic pilot will be present on this jet. As a way to improve situational awareness and collaborate with the advanced electronic warfare (EW) suite onboard the AMCA, distributed passive sensors with AI-assisted multi-sensor data fusion are anticipated.

The F-35 Lightning II features a single-seat cockpit with advanced automation and AI, enabling the pilot to handle both flying and mission-critical tasks. Its Distributed Aperture System (DAS) offers a 360-degree view, enhancing situational awareness. Supported by an advanced electronic warfare suite, the F-35’s AI-driven sensor fusion integrates data from various sensors, providing a complete battlefield picture. This technology reduces the pilot’s workload and significantly boosts the aircraft’s combat effectiveness.

since HAL realised the primary goals and advancements needed for AMCA for future aviation projects when constructing aircraft. In collaboration with international suppliers and via innovative research for newer weapons, the Defense is advancing its weaponry. The Brahmos air-to-ground missile, ASTRA, RUDRAM, Laser guided, and precision munition pods will all be made available by the AMCA. Radar and infrared search and tracking features are some additional elements that aid aircraft detection.

The F-35 features two internal weapon bays and four weapon stations. There are air-to-air missiles at the two inboard weapon stations. Among the air-to-surface weapons for the outboard station are the Joint Direct Attack Munition, the Paveway line of bombs, the Joint Standoff Weapon, and cluster munitions. The AIM-9X or AIM-132 ASRAAMs can be mounted on either of the wingtip pylons, which are canted outward to lower the radar cross-section.