DRDO ASL Hyderabad Director: Dr. M Raghavendra Rao has become the new Director of the Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) in Hyderabad. He took charge of his new post on Saturday. ASL is a top Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab that works under the Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam Missile Complex. The lab focuses on the “design, development and delivery of state-of-the-art defence systems for missile development programmes.”
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His Education and Background
Dr. Rao completed his graduation in Mechanical Engineering from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Bhopal. Later, he got his master’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT), Chennai. He also earned a PhD from NIT Warangal.
He has spent many years working with the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL). There, he played an important part in the Indian Guided Missile Defence Programme (IGMDP). This programme was started under the guidance of former President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.
Dr. Rao also worked as the Technology Director of liquid propulsion. In this role, he led the design and development of many defence systems for Agni missiles, air defence, advanced naval systems, and hypersonic propulsion technologies.
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His Contributions
According to reports, “Dr. Rao’s contributions include design and development of liquid propellant-based control systems, engines, and scramjet engines.” He also served as the Director of the Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory (TBRL) under DRDO. At TBRL, he was “responsible for deployment of different Low-Intensity Conflict (LIC) & Strategic systems,” it said.
His Role at ASL
As the Director of ASL Dr. Rao will lead one of India’s most important defence research centres. His strong knowledge of propulsion systems and missile technology will help in advancing India’s missile development programmes.
