G Sateesh Reddy, the Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) became the winner of the 2019 Missile Systems Award instituted by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) in the United States, reports Defence News.

“He was selected for his national contributions to indigenous design, development and deployment of diversified strategic and tactical missile systems, guided weapons, advanced avionics and navigation technologies in India,” the report quoted the AIAA statement as saying.

Reddy has immensely contributed to the development of Agni-V Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM). Rondell J Wilson, retired principal engineering fellow of Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Arizona, is the co-winner.

“The award also recognises excellence in developing on implementing missile technology and for the leadership of missile systems,” the AIAA statement said.

AIAA presents the award biennially to people who have demonstrated expertise in critical technical disciplines that have led to substantial improvement in missile systems.

The Chairman of DRDO has spearheaded Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Missile Complex and other labs in Hyderabad during his tenure as the Director-General of the Missiles and Strategic Systems.

As the chief architect of advanced missile technologies, Reddy has immensely contributed in design, development and deployment of diversified missiles and strategic systems and guided weapons.

“He (Reddy) evolved strategies for indigenous design and development of advanced avionics and paved the way for inducing a range of missiles and smart guided weapons under restrictive international control regimes,” DRDO said in a statement.