Total flights
My guess is AMCA will be considered only after MK-2 FOC... if MK-2 is meeting the expectations then ADA or HAL will not have any work left apart from patches and new R&D... Any way i believe there they start doing common work for both Manned and Un-Manned platforms... I believe in this way they will achieve stealth in AMCA and UCAV... This is how they will reduce cost and maintenance over head for IAF... Any way we had a conflict on future whether everything will become un-manned where i still stand disagreed , time will be the output my friend..Just that the stealth capability is not defined by the weight class! IAF don't neet a medium class fighter with stealth capabilities, unless it gives certain differences / advantages over the FGFA that is meant to add stealth capability. See F22 and F35 for example, both stealthfighters in different class, but the only reason that makes F35 different, is that it is developed with different operational capabilities in mind, not just a different weight class!
It was meant to have better strike capabilities, to be more cost-effective and to replace all other medium class fighters and take over the medium class roles. That however is not the case for AMCA in IAF, since it also is a twin engine fighter aimed on high maneuverability, with similar capabilities like SC or TVC, while it doesn't even will add a better weapon load config in strike roles. Not to forget that AMCA would work in the same class and the same roles that IAF will use Rafale in. So there are overlapping requirements, roles and even lifecycles from all points of views.
That's why I said, IF the AMCA would be developed as a downsized FGFA instead (common parts, medium class, single type 30 engine) with the aim to have a less expensive alternative to FGFA as a stealthfighter (and not to Rafale), to increase the number of stealth fighters in the most cost-effective way, it would make sense for IAF too, but then ADA/DRDO might have very limited work to do, which they won't like either.
Antony kicked some serious a... in 2013!
I am going to go ahead and put a odd one out in this discussion..
I Present to you the aircraft that should have been the Tejas(and would have rolled out sooner too).
The HAL/Sukhoi S-54 LCA Tejas!
Highly manoeuvrable , carrier capable with little modification; the aircraft is powered by the same AL-31F engine as the Su-30MKI which offers additional logistic commonality for the IAF. Two versions that would have 80% commonality with the other. The first is the operational fighter known as the LCA-F with the ELTA EL/M-2052 for air defence missions seen here on the runway at IAFS Kalaikunda and deploying flares during training exercises.
S-54 Tejas with operational loadout of GP-9 Gunpod, Astra BVRAAM, KH-29 missiles and R-74 WVR missiles
S-54 Tejas punching out flares whilst on training. Carrying Derby and R-74 AAMs.
The sister AJT and LIFT version of the Tejas known as the LCA-T lacks the canards,longer nose and IFR probe of the fighter but is otherwise completely common with the LCA-F.It uses the ELTA EL/M-2032 radar with a smaller antenna that still provides excellent radar coverage to 40km and allows the usage of BVR weaponry. This version is capable of employing all the weaponry of the LCA-F and capable of augmenting or supplementing the LCA-F in strike, CAS, BAI and OCA roles whilst also capable of performing point interception and local combat air patrols.
LCA-T waiting to join in on the local training sortie. Equipped with ATGMs for CAS role along with stand off munitions dispenser.
Tejas-T with AL-31FT in full afterburner rotating out of IAFS Kalaikunda
