Webinar on Fifth Generation Aircraft Avionics

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IEEE GRIET SB conducted a webinar on “5G Fighter Aircraft Avionics” under Geoscience and Remote Sensing Society. The webinar was held on 2nd April 2020 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM on the Zoom App. 

A fifth-generation jet fighter is a jet fighter classification used around the world that encompasses the fighter technologies. As of 2020 these are the most advanced aircrafts. The aircraft has the features of 4th Generation fighter designs and introduces all-new levels of performance, stealth profiles and advanced avionics with integrated digital flight systems and computer systems capable of networking with other elements within the battlespace for situation awareness. There are several high profile developments being undertaken in Russia, China, Turkey, India, South Korea, Japan, Europe, etc. India is independently developing a twin-engine fifth-generation super maneuverable stealth multirole fighter, called the HAL Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). It is being developed and designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). 

The speaker for the webinar is one of the directors of HAL, Dr. D. K. Sunil, HoD Communication, Strategic Electronics Research & Design Centre, HAL, Hyderabad.

Dr. Sunil began the online session with the definition of Avionics and its evolution. It is the science of electronics when used in designing and making aircraft. Using a Powerpoint Presentation, he illustrated the pictures of different 5G Aircraft including Russia, the USA, Japan, South Korea, and China.The speaker discussed the differences in the designs of cockpits from 1960 to 2000. While cockpits in the 1960s had only manual instruments and space for the pilot, the 1980’s cockpit was improved with features like communication frequency, radars along with a combination of digital and analog setups. The cockpits in the 2000s were more sophisticated and advanced having no dials but only digital screens along with engine fuel parameters, radars, readings, and bearings. Dr. Sunil highlighted the importance of avionics and how it almost costs 50% of the total manufacturing of the aircraft. He supported this statement by discussing the important role avionics plays in determining the maneuvering and working of the fighter jet. 

Later, the 5G fighter features were reviewed:

• Very low observability:

A 5th generation aircraft is difficult to detect in the air due to its stealth technology. It exhibits very low radar and IR signatures (about 0.5 m^2) making it extremely tricky to detect in the air by enemy aircraft . They also have twin vertical fins which help in reflecting any incoming radar wave away. 

• Ultra- Maneuverability:

It has multi-axis thrust-vectoring engine allowing it to take very sharp changes or turns in directions (high turn rates and spin resistance)

• Supercruise:

A 5G fighter has a powerful engine that sustains supersonic flights (Mach >1) without the use of afterburners. They have low fuel consumption and a larger radius of action making them run for a large period.  

Dr. Sunil added that IR sensors are cooled with liquid nitrogen for accurate reading and also detect to low levels. He then discussed the evolution in the avionics architecture of the fighter jet by describing briefly about: 

1. Independent Avionics (the 40s-50s)
2. Federated Avionics (the 60s-70s)
3. Integrated Avionics (the 80s-90s) which run on integrated analog processors
4. POST-2000:

The speaker explained the architecture of the Advanced Avionics in detail which included: 

• Integrated Control System 
• Radio Electronic System
• Communication System
• Recording System
• Central Computer
• EW system
• DAS

The webinar concluded with a Q&A session where students cleared their doubts about data transfer, unmanned aircraft, hacking, sensors, etc. The session was engaging and very interactive. Students were very enthusiastic to participate and learn about the 5G fighter even during the lockdown crisis.

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