The ADA is studying an advanced version of the LCA under the above designation, as a potential replacement for Indian Air Force Jaguars and Mirage 2000s from about 2010. The single-seat MCA is intended to embody stealth technology, be powered by a non-afterburning variant of the GTRE Kaveri turbofan with thrust vectoring, carry laser-guided weapons and have a greater range than the LCA. Other design features are planned to include the adoption of radar-absorbent materials; twin outward-canted tailfins; and overwing external fuel tanks. Project definition had not begun by early 2003; design and development costs have been provisionally estimated at US$2.3 billion in 1996 dollars.

WEIGHTS AND LOADINGS (approx):

• T-O weight: clean: 12,000 kg (26,455 lb)
• max: 18,000 kg (39,685 lb)

The article appears in the following publication:
Jane's All the World's Aircraft 2004-2005. Jane's Information Group Ltd. 2004. ISBN: 0-7106-2614-2