Defence Applications – The KGP Chronicle

Dr. Ummalaneni Raja Babu, Alumnus of IIT Kharagpur appointed as the Director General, Missiles and Strategic Systems, DRDO, Hyderabad

Leadership is not an expertise, leadership is a constant education. A leader is someone who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. He is the one who sees before others see, farther than others see and sees more than others see. Integrity, insight and inclusiveness are the qualities that drive an ordinary individual to be a lead the masses. Liberation of mind from stereotypical thoughts and rising to the power on enlightenment is the rare profoundness that a distinguishes a leader from a follower. When Dr. Ummalaneni Raja Babu was doing his masters in IIT Kharagpur, never had he thought that one day he would be the Missile Man of DRDO.

Dr. Ummalaneni Raja Babu (2000/M.Tech/RE), Alumnus of IIT Kharagpur, Distinguished Scientist and Director of Research Centre Imarat (RCI), has been appointed Director General, Missiles and Strategic Systems, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hyderabad. A graduate in Mechanical Engineering from Andhra University, Ummalaneni Raja Babu received his master’s degree from IIT Kharagpur. He completed his MBA from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU). He began his career in Indian Air Force in 1988 and joined the DRDO in 1995. Dr. U Raja Babu was chosen as Director General, Missiles and Strategic Systems (DG, MSS) upon the retirement of Dr. BHVS Narayana Murthy, DS and Director General, Missiles and Strategic Systems (DG, MSS) on May 31, 2023.

During the course of his 35-year aerospace career, he has worked on several helicopter and aircraft projects. In addition to that, he is also known for his significant role in the development of numerous missile systems. As Director Research Centre Imarat (RCI), he provided the impetus for the design, development, and successful demonstration of ballistic missile defence system capabilities. He was also responsible for the development of numerous essential technologies and mission mode projects, as well as the development of improved missile avionics for all tactical, ATGMs, strategic, cruise missiles, and armed forces weapon systems, providing necessary thrust to design, development and successful demonstration of ballistic Missile Defence system capabilities. “Mission Shakti,” India’s first anti-satellite missile test (A-SAT), was successfully demonstrated under his leadership.

Dr. Ummalaneni Raja Babu
Distinguished Scientist and Director of Research Centre Imarat (RCI)
Alumnus of IIT Kharagpur

Located in Hyderabad, Telangana, Research Centre Imarat (RCI) is a DRDO laboratory responsible for research and development of guided weapons, missile systems, and advanced avionics for the Indian Armed Forces. The research laboratory was established by APJ Abdul Kalam in 1988 and is currently headed by U Raja Babu.

Dr. Raja Babu’s ingenious efforts and contributions to defence applications brought him many recognition. He was conferred with ‘Path-breaking Research and Outstanding Technology Development Award’ for successfully leading the demonstration of Mission Shakti, India’s first Anti-Satellite Missile Test (A-SAT) strengthening indigenous defence capabilities. He also received the Agni award for excellence in Self-Reliance, the DRDO Scientist of the Year, and the Vigyan Pratibha Samman Award. A fellow of the Institution of Engineers (IE) and life member of many professional societies, he is renowned for his significant contributions as Programme Director of of RCI.

Media Coverage :

Times of India	ANI	UNI
Deccan Chronicle	Telangana Today	News 9 Live
News Meter	Siasat.Com	Sakshi Post
Newstap

By : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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IIT Kharagpur Incubated Start-up Designed NavIC Chip for India’s Navigation Systems

Elena Geo Systems, a Bengaluru-based space startup incubated in IIT-Kharagpur, has unveiled an indigenously designed NavIC chip that can use India’s own navigation satellite system to provide positioning services. The chip can have applications in civilian and defence sectors.

The chip was delivered to Gen. Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Defence Staff on 13 April 2023. Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of DRDO and also an Alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff also graced the occasion with their presence.

An Indian-designed NavIC chip with potential in both the civilian and defence sectors introduced by a Bengaluru-based space technology business, can utilize India’s own navigation satellite system to deliver location services. This will enable high precision and accuracy for all the three types of applications such as navigation, positioning and timing, making India self-reliant in this domain. The company has been pursuing advanced technologies to manufacture these chips and modules, some of which have been supplied to the Indian Army and some private entities. Elena Geo Systems was incubated at IIT-Kharagpur in 2012 and is now a member of the Delhi-based Indian Space Association.

“We are thrilled to present India’s first fully designed and developed NavIC chip. As India moves ahead with its space policy, we feel this is an opportune time to use a truly Indian product. The processor will give India a huge edge as both the government and private sector can move away from their dependence on the American Global Positioning System (GPS). Elena is in the process of patenting the technology and the product, which has been developed by our dedicated R&D team,” said Lt Col VS Velan, Founder and Chief Technology Officer of Elena Geo Systems on the sidelines of the Indian DefSpace Symposium organised by the Indian Space Association.

The 12-nanometer chip may be inserted into any handheld device including mobile phones, and can receive signals from the US Global Positioning System, the Russian GLONASS Constellation, and the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) or Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).

The chip has many cores that serve the requirements of signal acquisition, regeneration, processing and the output interface and hence, it has been named as the NavIC processor. The multi-frequency and multi-constellation chip/processor, created especially for NavIC, is small and simple to integrate into any GNSS circuit and offers the user continuous coverage and high-accuracy reception.

“Elena’s chip complies with the specifications established by the Indian Space Research Agency for IRNSS/NavIC signal reception because it is based on a unique algorithm designed for use throughout India and surrounding regions/countries,” added Velan.

The military grade chip can be used in a wide range of operational logistics applications for ships, submarines, radars, drones, artillery systems, and weapons platforms can make use of this military-grade chip. To guarantee a consistent supply of the NavIC chip, Elena Geo Systems got a contract with a chip manufacturer in Taiwan.

“The chip has many cores that service the requirements of signal acquisition, regeneration, processing and the output interface and hence it has been named the NavIC processor. This will enable high precision and accuracy for all the three types of applications such as navigation, positioning and timing, providing India much needed Atma Nirbharata in this domain,” remarked Velan.

The NavIC chip is appropriate for usage in mobiles, handheld devices, and wearables with applications ranging from tracking school buses to armament systems thanks to its small size, ultra-low power requirement, and software-based control. The multi-frequency and multi-constellation GNSS chip/processor, developed specifically for NavIC, is compact and easy to integrate into any GNSS circuit and provides continuous coverage and high accuracy reception to the user. Based on a special algorithm for use across India and neighboring countries, the Elena’s chip conforms to the requirements laid down by ISRO for IRNSS/NavIC signal reception.

Media Coverage :

Economic Times	The Hindu	India Today
The Week	First Post	Bharat Shakti
Swarajya Magazine	Pragativadi	Organiser

Edited by : Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

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Dr. Samir V. Kamat, an Alumnus of IIT Kharagpur named the next DRDO Chief

Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom. Growth is a very profound experience. We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are. Well, this has been rather avouched by our Alumnus Dr. Samir V Kamat, whose sense of purpose evoked metamorphism in Defence applications for our country and led to the advanced development towards the service of the nation.

Dr. Samir V. Kamat, an Alumnus of IIT Kharagpur has been appointed the Secretary of Department of Defence Research and Development (R&D) and Chairman, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) by the Appointments Committee of the cabinet on August 25, 2022. Dr. Kamat has been conducting cutting-edge research and development on materials for various defence applications for the past three decades and has been bestowed the Distinguished Alumnus Award by IIT Kharagpur for the year 2018. As a Distinguished Scientist and Director General, Naval Systems and Materials, Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), he is posted at Visakhapatnam.

Dr. Kamat completed his B.Tech in Metallurgical Engineering in 1985 from IIT Kharagpur and was a recipient of the Institute Silver Medal as department topper. A Ph.D from Ohio State University, USA in Materials Science and Engineering in 1988, he did his Post-Doctoral Fellowship from the Washington State University, Pullman, USA. and joined the Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), DRDO in 1989 as a Research Scientist. He was appointed the Outstanding Scientist & Director, DMRL, DRDO, Hyderabad in 2015 before taking up his current position at Visakhapatnam.

In his role, first as Director, DMRL, and now as Director General, Naval Systems and Materials, DRDO, Dr. Kamat has provided leadership and direction to several critical materials and naval systems programmes and has played a key role in enhancing the interaction of cluster laboratories with academic institutions as well as industry. He has taken steps to align the programmes of the cluster laboratories with the long-term integrated perspective plans of the Services.

“Appointment of Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Distinguished Scientist and Director General, Naval Systems & Materials as Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO from the date of his assumption of charge till he attains the age of 60 years or until further orders, whichever is earlier,” said a statement from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.

Dr. Kamat’s contributions in the area of microstructure-mechanical property correlations in advanced materials, such as particulate reinforced metal matrix composites, ceramic matrix composites, aluminium-lithium alloys, high strength aluminium alloys and titanium alloys, have led to their development for various defence applications. These include development of Samarium-Cobalt magnets for gyros used in guidance systems of missiles and BLDC motors used in torpedoes, DMR-1700 ultrahigh strength steel for rocket motor casings, titanium alloys for aeronautical applications and advanced functional materials such as piezoelectric, magnetoelectric and magnetic materials for sensor, actuator and energy harvesting devices.

Dr. Kamat has also been responsible for setting-up state-of-the-art experimental facilities at DMRL such as Thin Film Lab, Small Length Scale Mechanical Testing Lab and Stress Corrosion Cracking test facility. His work on stress corrosion cracking (SCC) behaviour of ultrahigh strength 250 grade maraging and DMR 1700 steels has resulted in the development of a three-layer coating system for protection of these steels against SCC failure in marine environment. After generating significant contributions to the development of Rare Earth Permanent Magnet (REPM) Technology in DMRL, a MoU was initiated by him between DMRL, BARC, IREL and ARCI to launch a Mineral-to-Magnet programme that aims to make the country totally self-reliant in this critical REPM technology.

Dr. Kamat has been part of several committees of national importance and has contributed to the drafting of the National Strategic Materials Policy. Recipient of the DRDO Young Scientist of the Year award twice, he was awarded the Swatantryaveer Savarkar Smarak Award for Science in 2016.

Media Coverage :

The Hindu	Economic Times	Indian Express
Business Standard	Jagran	Amar Ujala
PSU Watch	ABP Majha	Good News Today
Orissa Diary	News on Air	One India
Kannada News	Siasat.com	Telugu Stop

Inputs from : Office of the Alumni, IIT Kharagpur
Email : anamika.das@adm.iitkgp.ac.in

Edited by:- Poulami Mondal, Digital & Creative Media Executive (Creative Writer)
Email: poulami.mondal@iitkgp.ac.in, media@iitkgp.ac.in, Ph. No.: +91-3222-282007

Follow us: Facebook – IIT Kharagpur; Twitter – @IITKgp; Instagram – @iit.kgp; LinkedIn – Indian Institute of Technology
For news visit: https://kgpchronicle.iitkgp.ac.in/