Ummalaneni Raja Babu, Scientist and Director, has been appointed as the Director General, Missiles and Strategic Systems, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hyderabad.
 Raja Babu is a graduate of mechanical engineering from Andhra University, obtained his Master’s from IIT Kharagpur and MBA from the JNTU. He started his career with the Air Force in 1988 and joined the DRDO in 1995.
 During his 35 years of professional aerospace career, he worked on aircraft, helicopters and the development of many missile systems. As Programme Director, AD at RCI, he provided the necessary thrust to the design, development and successful demonstration of Ballistic Missile Defence system capabilities. Under his leadership, Mission Shakti, India’s first Anti Satellite Missile Test (A-SAT) has been successfully demonstrated.
 As Director RCI, he worked on the development of many critical technologies and mission mode projects, development of advanced missile avionics for all tactical, ATGMs, strategic, cruise missiles and weapon systems for armed forces.
 His contribution to defence applications brought him much recognition. He was conferred with Path-breaking Research and outstanding technology development award for successfully leading the demonstration of Mission Shakti.
