Design and Optimise

The Vajra's airframe is characterised by a relaxed static stability delta-canard configuration optimised for high agility at all speeds while maintaining a minimal radar cross-section consistent with a fifth-generation stealth platform.

Aerodynamics

The delta wing provides high lift-to-drag at supersonic speeds; the close-coupled canards allow extreme pitch authority and very high angle-of-attack performance up to 60°. An active fly-by-wire flight control system with quadruplex redundancy manages the inherently unstable configuration and provides carefree handling characteristics across the entire flight envelope.

Structures and Materials

The Vajra's airframe is 62% advanced carbon-fibre composite by weight, with titanium used for heavily loaded structural members around the engine bays and wing-fuselage junction. Advanced polymer-matrix composites with embedded health-monitoring sensors allow structural loads to be tracked in real time, reducing scheduled maintenance intervals.

Stealth Shaping

Signature management is achieved through planform alignment of all edges (wing leading and trailing edges, control surface edges, inlet lips and exhaust nozzles are all aligned to a set of four azimuth angles), radar-absorbent materials applied to leading edges and fuselage sides, and internal weapons carriage for all primary air-to-air and precision air-to-ground weapons.

Weight Optimisation

The Vajra has a basic empty weight of 9,400 kg and a maximum take-off weight of 24,500 kg, giving a maximum weapons fraction of 37% — superior to comparable contemporary combat aircraft. This was achieved through extensive use of topology-optimised additive-manufactured titanium brackets throughout the aircraft.