Infoglobal I-22 Sikatan

Infoglobal I-22 Sikatan is an Indonesian 4.5th generation multirole combat aircraft concept by Infoglobal Teknologi Semesta. The aircraft is being designed as a twin-engine, twin-seat light fighter featuring modern avionics and high-performance features, intended to function both as a capable combat platform and as an advanced pilot training platform.

Name The designation I-22 is derived from the manufacturer, Infoglobal, and it having been unveiled at the 2022 Indo Defence Expo & Forum. The name sikatan is taken from the common name for the species of a genus of Southeast Asian flycatchers.

The name of the I-22 not to be confused with the Polish-made aircraft named PZL I-22 Iryda which also has the name I-22.

Design The design concept for the I-22 Sikatan was developed by Infoglobal in collaboration with local aerospace design firm Vimana Litbang & Rekayasa, headed by former commercial UAV pilot Sunanto Adjidarmo. At the exhibition, Sunanto described the I-22 Sikatan as a twin-engine fighter aircraft concept with a design inspired by the Saab JAS 39 Gripen. He added that it features a reduced radar cross-section design and uses mostly composite materials to enhance its stealth characteristics with fully Internal Weapons Bay (IWB).https://gbp.com.sg/regional_stories/i-22-sikatan-infoglobal-cita-cita-besar-perusahaan-avionik-indonesia/

The I-22 Sikatan has compact dimensions with a length of 12.5 meters, a wingspan of 7 meters, and a height of 3.5 meters. This aircraft was deliberately designed with a small size because it will be used as a main fighter aircraft and can be used for long-distance patrols, The sharp lines that extend from the nose to the wing (chine) function to break up turbulence while reducing the Radar Cross Section (RCS), the tilt angle of its vertical fins is designed to throw reflected radar waves sideways, rather than back toward the enemy radar source.

The concept has two variants, one a conventional tailless delta (9.6m wingspan) and the other a canard delta (9m wingspan). A 90% scale mock-up of the canardless variant was put on display at Indo Defence 2022.

Development The development program will be carried out in three phases. The first phase focuses on developing the aircraft as a training platform. The second phase will serve as a demonstration stage, and the final phase will deliver a fully operational system.

Infoglobal initiated the I-22 Sikatan program with the aim of mastering fighter aircraft technology and targeting market potential by utilizing its experience and skills in system design/production system cost-effective aircraft.

At the Indo Defence Expo & Forum held at JIExpo Kemayoran November 2022, the company unveiled the first mockup of the I-22 Sikatan. In Indo Defence 2024 (held 11–14 June 2025), Infoglobal presented further progress, including a full-scale cockpit model and a flight simulator.

The demonstrator showcased advancements such as a modern cockpit with fly-by-wire controls. Most avionics functions are integrated into a single 25-inch panoramic display featuring Communications, Navigation, and Identification (CNI), map-based navigation, engine and fuel monitoring, Integrated Caution and Warning System (ICAWS), and weapon system interfaces. The aircraft also includes a Helmet Mounted Display System (HMDS), an Integrated Electronic Standby Display (IESD), and day/night operational modes. The I-22 is projected to use an AESA Radar and Data Link system that allows this aircraft to fight "silently" without having to turn on an active radar that can be detected by the enemy.

Prototype Development in 2026 The development project for the I-22 Sikatan multirole fighter aircraft is planned to enter its prototype construction phase starting in 2026 at Infoglobal's facility located at Ngloram Airport, Blora, Central Java. According to its development roadmap, the prototype is projected to make its maiden flight in 2036.https://www.infoglobal.co.id/id/news/i22_Sikatan_Infoglobal_Citacita_Besar_Perusahaan_Avionik_Indonesia

Variants (projected)

Three planned versions were introduced: Block I: 4.5-generation aircraft featuring two variants: an advanced jet trainer and a multirole combat aircraft. It incorporates updated avionics tailored for pilot training and air defense capabilities against enemy multirole fighters. Block II: 5th-generation air superiority fighter variant, designed with multirole ground-attack capabilities, electronic warfare, and signals intelligence (SIGINT). It features advanced avionics, an internal weapons bay, stealth capabilities, and a potentially enlarged airframe design. Technology Demonstrator: Technology demonstration version before Block I.

Specifications (projected) Based on data from the publication.https://www.infoglobal.co.id/id/news/i22_Sikatan_jet_tempur_ringan_multirole_di_level_T50_dan_KF21

General characteristics Crew: 1 or 2 Design (Block 1): Initially inspired by the Saab JAS 39 Gripen but bearing greater similarity to the Chengdu J-20; incorporates stealth characteristics with a low radar cross-section and uses composite materials. Design (Block 2): It adopts Chengdu J-20 aerodynamic configuration (active canard) combined with F-22 Raptor stealth layout (diamond wing / twin canted tails / twin canted vertical stabilizers). Airframe construction uses Advanced Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (Advanced CFRP) and Titanium-Matrix Composite (TMC), paired with metamaterial-based Radar-Absorbing Material (RAM) coating, slanted caret inlet with serpentine S-duct, and 2D Thrust Vectoring Nozzles (TVN) to reduce infrared signature and radar cross-section (RCS). Length: 12.5 m (41 ft 0 in) (estimated 18 m (59 ft) for heavy fighter variant) Wingspan: 7 m (23 ft 0 in) (estimated 13 m (43 ft) for heavy fighter variant) Height: 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in) (5.3 m (17 ft) for heavy fighter variant) Gross weight: Unknown (mockup phase) Max takeoff weight: Unknown (mockup phase) Powerplant: 2 × reverse-engineered turbofans series (Block 1),low-bypass afterburning turbofans (Block 2, undetermined) Avionics and flight control system: Block 1: Quad-redundant digital fly-by-wire (DFBW) with flight envelope protection, a 25-inch panoramic display, and a Helmet-Mounted Display System (HMDS) featuring VR/AR integration. Block 2: Advanced DFBW (or fly-by-light) integrated with thrust vectoring control (TVC) and high angle of attack (AoA) control capabilities. Radar system: Infoglobal AESA-X (experimental) Armament placement: Block 1: Semi-recessed Weapons Bay Block 2: Internal weapons bay

Stealth features In the conceptual design for the Block 2 variant, the I-22 Sikatan is projected to utilize metamaterial-based Radar-Absorbing Material (RAM) integrated directly into the aircraft's composite structure. The application of metamaterials is intended to minimize the radar cross-section (RCS) by absorbing a broader spectrum of radar waves (broadband attenuation) while reducing structural weight compared to conventional ferrite- or conductive polymer-based RAM used on platforms such as the F-22 Raptor.

Although included in the target specification documents, the implementation of metamaterial coatings remains a long-term technical projection. Globally, the application of metamaterials on operational airframes remains in the research and limited testing phase, while current development for the I-22 Sikatan prioritizes the Block 1 trainer variant and avionics integration.

Performance Maximum speed: Mach 2.1 (approx. 2,350 km/h; 1,460 mph) for twin-engine configuration (Block 1) Maximum speed: Mach 2.1 to Mach 2.6 (approx. 2,450 to 2,940 km/h; 1,520 to 1,830 mph) with thrust vectoring nozzles (Block 2) Combat range: Unknown Supercruise: Unknown Ferry range: Unknown g-limits: Unknown

Infoglobal I-22 Sikatan

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