Dr. Narayana Murthy appointed DG of DRDO's missiles and strategic systems

Hyderabad: Distinguished scientist Dr. B.H.V.S Narayana Murthy has been appointed the director-general of Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) missile and strategic systems, Hyderabad.

His appointment comes after M.S.R Prasad, the director-general of missiles and strategic systems Hyderabad, retired on 31 July 2021. Dr. Murthy is a distinguished defence scientist and renowned for his R&D in the indigenous design and development of advanced Avionics technologies for defence and aerospace applications in India. As director and programme director, he spearheaded Research Centre Imarat (RCI), an avionics laboratory of Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, steering the design, development and delivery of Avionics and a wide range of missiles and guided weapon systems.

He graduated in electronics and communication engineering from REC, Warangal, completed his M.Tech from JNTU, Hyderabad, and received Ph.D in computer science from IIIT, Hyderabad. He joined DRDO in 1986.

Dr. Murthy is the chief architect of advanced onboard computer (OBC) technologies for missile systems and other defence applications. His sustained contributions and technology leadership over the last three decades has been transformative for making India self-reliant in advanced real-time embedded computers, mission computing systems, and other avionics technologies.

He led the design and development of advanced Avionics for "Mission Shakti", India's first anti-satellite missile test (A-SAT) and long-range missile Agni 5, elevating India into a league of select nations and strengthening indigenous defence capabilities. He played a vital role in the successful development and demonstration of avionics systems for BVRAAM Astra, QRSAM, Akash1S, Akash NG, HSTDV, NGARM, long-range guided bombs, BrahMos, ATGM Nag, HELINA, MPATGM, SANT, BMD, ANSP, Agni series of missiles, and other guided weapon systems.

As project director, he led the conceptualization, design, and development of the Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) and laid the foundation for long range smart guided systems with precision strike capabilities. As an onboard computer specialist and technology director, Dr. Murthy significantly contributed in conceptualization, planning, design, development of advanced real-time computer technologies for various missiles, fighter aircraft, and other strategic applications. He was the architect behind the development and production of single-chip mission computer - system on chip, and Integrated Avionics Module (IAM) bringing in quantum jump in miniaturization of onboard Avionics for futuristic miniaturized smart weapon systems. His R&D contributions had a major impact on the indigenization of critical aerospace and missile technologies.

For his contributions, he has been conferred with Fellowship of Computer Society of India, elected as Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) and Indian Society of Systems for Science and Engineering. Other prestigious awards conferred on Dr. Murthy includes Rocket and Related Technologies Award by the Astronautical Society of India, Agni Award for Excellence in Self Reliance, DRDO Scientist of the Year Award, Path Breaking Research/Outstanding Technology Development Award, and DRDO Performance Excellence Award.