New Delhi/Hyderabad, May 29 (IANS): Eminent scientist G. Satheesh Reddy, director of the Hyderabad-based premier missile research laboratory, Research Centre Imarat, has been appointed as the scientific advisor to the defence minister, it was announced on Thursday.

The appointments committee of the union cabinet on Thursday approved his appointment for a period of two years.

Reddy is one of the leading navigation and avionics experts in the country with nearly three decades of experience.

He led the development of avionics technologies in the critical areas of navigation, embedded computers, control, guidance, simulation, RF and infrared imaging seekers, satellite systems, power supplies, telemetry, ground systems and cybernetics for the Indian missile programme and other defence programmes.

Reddy graduated in electronics and communication engineering from JNTU, Anantapur and received his MS and doctorate from JNTU, Hyderabad.

He is a Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering (FNAE), Royal Institute of Navigation London (FRIN), Aeronautical Society of India (FAeSI), Royal Aeronautical Society London (FRAeS), Britain's Institution of Engineering and Technology (FIET), Society for Shockwave Research (FSSWR), Institution of Engineers (India) (FIE), Andhra Pradesh Akademi of Sciences (FAPAS), Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (FIETE) and a senior member of many other professional/scientific bodies in the country and abroad.

He received the Indian Science Congress Association's prestigious Homi J. Bhabha Memorial Award, DRDO Young Scientist Award and Agni Award for Excellence in Self Reliance.