**Breaking News: HAL AMCA Set for First Flight as India’s Stealth Fighter Takes Shape**
In a significant leap for India’s defense capabilities, the HAL Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is gearing up for its inaugural flight, expected between 2024 and 2025. This multi-role stealth fighter is poised to become a game-changer for the Indian Air Force and Navy, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s military aviation history.
The AMCA, with a sleek length of 18 meters and a height of 4.8 meters, is engineered for superior performance. Weighing in at an empty weight of 11,000 kilograms and a maximum takeoff weight of 25,000 kilograms, this aircraft is designed to dominate the skies. Powered by two modified GE F-414 afterburning turbofan engines, the AMCA promises a blistering maximum speed of Mach 2.15, equivalent to 2,654 kilometers per hour.
Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the AMCA features an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and sophisticated infrared search and track (IRST) capabilities, ensuring it remains a formidable opponent in aerial combat. With a combat range of 1,620 kilometers and a ferry range of 5,324 kilometers, this aircraft is built for both offensive and defensive operations.
The AMCA’s arsenal is equally impressive, boasting 14 hardpoints for a variety of armaments, including the Astra air-to-air missiles and BrahMos NG air-to-ground missiles. This versatility positions the AMCA not just as a fighter but as a multi-dimensional combat platform.
As anticipation builds around its first flight, the AMCA symbolizes India’s commitment to advancing its indigenous defense technology. The stakes are high as the nation prepares to unveil a fighter that could redefine air superiority in the region. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops!