Project AZM.
This project aims to develop a fifth-generation fighter aircraft as per ASR requirements. As mentioned earlier, this is a major undertaking that will require synergetic participation of a large number of organizations and stakeholders. A phased but aggressive approach will be followed to overcome technical challenges as soon as they are identified. A number of challenges like materials, propulsion, sensors, mission systems etc. are already known and risk mitigation plans are being worked out. The strategy is to keep focus of the FGFA team on aircraft development while other elements of AvRID focus on providing the required technologies and systems for project success.
Aviation Design Institute (AvDI).
This institute has been established to develop the core multidisciplinary technologies required for any advanced air vehicle. It is envisaged to bring together experts with varied backgrounds (Aero, Elects, Wpns) and specialties (both Aerospace & Avionics) to work on areas like aerodynamics, antennas, fly-by-wire, payloads, sensor fusion, stealth, structures, etc. The institute undertakes projects that provide solutions in the immediate and short term and in doing so contribute to developing technologies for medium and long-term product development projects like FGF.
Mission Electronics Design Institute (MEDI).
This institute will develop critical technologies like high performance computing boards, advanced avionics interfaces etc. The technologies will be used for design & development of mission computers, flight control computers, etc. Considering the fast pace of development in the field of electronics leading to early obsolescence and the huge amount of data crunching onboard the FGFA, considerable challenges will have to be overcome.
Aero Structures Design Institute (ASDI).
This institute will be responsible for design and analysis of aero structures, including Damage Tolerance Analysis (DTA). It will also interact with the local industry and academia for identifying and developing materials required for aerospace related applications.
Advanced Technologies Centre (ATC).
This Centre will form the PAF element of the Faculty of Aerospace and Aviation Campus AU Kamra and will focus on MS and PhD programs in Aerospace and Avionics disciplines. These programs, in coordination with CAE and other institutes will provide the necessary human resource for programs like FGFA. They will also assist in setting up labs in critical areas and carry out focused research. Short courses in relevant areas will also be arranged.
Flight Test Centre (FTC).
The capability to carry out flight testing of developed systems and platforms will be eventually consolidated into a dedicated flight test Centre. It will assist and coordinate flight testing activities with customers. It would develop the procedures and protocols for flight testing and certification in coordination with development teams and certification authorities, as applicable.
AvRID Capabilities
Aviation City’s evolution transforms PAC Kamra into a teaching industry by bridging itself with co-located Air University Campus. Entire infrastructure of production, upgrade/ overhaul, research & development, qualification and certification would be opened to the students of Air University, thus equipping them with higher academic knowledge and professional skills. These students would be fully fielded in all such disciplines under collaborative supervision of Air University faculty and engineering leadership of the factories.
The multi-discipline research team at Aviation Research, Indigenization & Development (AvRID) Centre will include an effective mix of highly qualified and/or experienced specialists, who would leverage industrial and academic potential available to Kamra. This would put together components of industry and academia to build a high-end research center to enhance indigenization capability. AvRID at Kamra is destined to be the embodiment of this aim.