Stories
Meet Padma Shri Scientist Chandramouli Gaddamanugu and the Akash Missile Journey
- •Chandramouli Gaddamanugu received the Padma Shri in 2026 for his three decades of pioneering work on India's indigenous Akash missile system.
- •Joining DRDL in 1983 under the IGMDP, Gaddamanugu helped overcome complex engineering challenges involving ramjet propulsion, radars, and control systems.
- •As vehicle director, he oversaw the crucial 1994 full-duration flight trial, marking a major milestone for the domestic defence project.
- •The Akash missile system eventually entered production in 2009 and was formally inducted by the Indian Air Force and Army.
- •Gaddamanugu's decades-long dedication highlights the unseen teamwork, rigorous trials, and perseverance behind India's military capabilities.
Key Questions Answered
Chandramouli Gaddamanugu is a defence scientist who spent more than three decades working on India's Akash missile system. A mechanical engineering graduate from Regional Engineering College, Warangal, he joined the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad in 1983 before receiving the Padma Shri in 2026 for his contributions to science and engineering.
Production of the Akash missile system began in 2009, followed by its formal induction into the Indian Air Force in 2015, and it was also taken into service by the Indian Army. The missile system later drew significant attention during Operation Sindoor, showcasing India's indigenous defence capabilities.
The team had to develop an indigenous guided missile system without an established domestic design to follow, requiring radars, computers, launchers, and control systems. They also worked on an integral ramjet propulsion system that required durable motor casings and composite liners to withstand demanding supersonic operating conditions.
