 Dr. Prahlada
DS & CC R&D (SI)
Ministry of Defense, DRDO
New Delhi
Dr. Prahlada, born on 05 February 1947 in Bangalore, is a
Mechanical Engineering Graduate from University College of
Engineering, Bangalore University (1969). Subsequently he got
his Masters Degree in Aeronautical Engineering Department from
IISc., Bangalore, with specialization in Rockets and Missile
Systems and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Jawaharlal
Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad.Since 1971 he has served in various ISRO and DRDO Establishments
covering VSSC Trivandrum, ADE Bangalore and DRDL Hyderabad. His
areas of interest cover aerodynamics, flight controls, guidance,
propulsion, system design and system engineering. I. He has pioneered and championed many aerospace technologies
and products in following areas:
- Composites
- Propulsion
- Onboard avionics
- Missile guidance
- Automatic launcher systems
- Fire control systems
- C4I2SR systems
- Hypersonic flight vehicle with scramjet engine
II. He has configured and established many high-tech facilities
and infrastructure. Some of them are listed below:
- Compact Antenna Test Range
- Structural Dynamic Test Centre
- Scramjet Engine Test Bed
- Ramjet Engine Test Bed
- 6 Component Rocket Motor Test Bed
- Computer Integrated Tomography
- CFD
- Shock Tunnel
III. As Project Director for the mobile surface to air area
defence missile system, Akash, he has provided the technological
and managerial leadership for about 1000 scientists / engineers
working at various development centers. The system has been
successfully developed, all functionalities demonstrated against
flying targets and production line established. System is ready
for serial production on receipt of order from the Army and Air
Force.
IV. As Chairman Program Management Board, he has provided
technical and managerial leadership to a highly classified
project, which has completed development and has entered serial
production.
Since November ’05, as Chief Controller (R&D) at DRDO Hqrs (at
the rank of special secretary to Govt. of India), he is heading
Services Interactions, International Cooperation (Technology
Transfers, Joint Ventures, etc) Foreign Offices (U.K, U.S.A,
Russia, etc), extra-mural research, Intellectual Property Rights
and Business Development.
He is also leading the Integrated Guided Missile Program as the
Chairman of the Program Board. As Director DRDL he has initiated
many new projects like Astra air to air missile system, Long
Range Surface to air missile system for Naval application, Joint
Venture Project Brahmos Supersonic cruise missile system and
hypersonic technology demonstrator.
His current research interest is in hypersonic flight vehicles
integrated with air breathing scramjet engine.
He is recipient of DRDO Scientist of the Year.
He is recipient of HMA – Member of the Year.
He is recipient of IISc Distinguished Alumnus Award.
He is recipient of National Aeronautical Prize.
He was awarded honorary doctorate from Sri Venkateswara
University in 2006.
His other areas of interest cover R&D Management, Project
Management, Technology Management and Knowledge Management.
He is Member / Fellow of following Professional
Organizations:
-
President, Society for Aerospace Quality & Reliability
-
Fellow, Andhra Pradesh Academy of Sciences
-
Fellow, Indian National Academy of Engineering
-
Fellow, Institution of Engineers
-
Fellow, Society for Shock Wave Research of India
-
Fellow, Astronautical Society of India
-
Fellow, Systems Society of India
-
Fellow, Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication
Engineers
-
Donor Member, IISc Alumni Association
Past President/Chairman of following organizations:
-
Hyderabad Management Association
-
ISAMPE, Hyderabad Chapter
-
ISNT, Hyderabad Chapter
-
INAE, Hyderabad Chapter
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