Jitendra J Jadhav Appointed as Director General of Aeronautical Development Agency
New Delhi [India], September 13, 2024: The Appointment Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Jitendra J Jadhav, a distinguished scientist, as Director General of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) effective from September 11, 2024.
Jadhav’s Career and Achievements
Jadhav joined ADA in 1999 as Scientist/Engineer ‘E’ and has about 37 years of experience in the design and development of combat aircraft, Flying Trainers, and associated systems. He has been instrumental in the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) of Tejas-LCA and its induction into the Indian Air Force in 2013. He pioneered the weaponization of Tejas-LCA and developed key technologies like Mission and Display computers, Digital Weapon Management systems, and Flight Dynamics simulators.
Leadership Roles
In September 2022, Jadhav took over as Director & Programme Director (Combat Aircraft) and led several significant projects, including the Military Type Certification of Series Production Trainer (SPT) aircraft, the maiden flight of Naval Prototype (NP5), and the first arrested landing of LCA Navy on INS Vikrant. He also played a pivotal role in securing CCS sanction for the LCA AF MK2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) projects.
Innovations and Reforms
During his tenure as Director of CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (2016-2022), Jadhav revived the SARAS project, achieved type certification for the Hansa-NG flying trainer, and developed a high-altitude solar-powered platform. He introduced many reforms in ADA through digitalization and commercialized several aerospace technologies, including Carbon Fibre and Stealth Technologies.
Awards and Recognition
Jadhav has received numerous prestigious awards, including the DRDO Scientist of the Year and the CSIR-Technology Innovation Award. He is a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) and the Royal Aeronautical Society (UK).
Future Focus
As Director General, Jadhav’s main focus will be on the first flight of LCA AF Mk2 in the fourth quarter of 2025, the rollout of the AMCA project, and the introduction of AI/ML and MUM-T techniques in future aircraft.
Doubts Revealed
Jitendra J Jadhav -: Jitendra J Jadhav is a scientist who works on designing and developing aircraft. He has been doing this for 37 years, which is a very long time.
Director General -: A Director General is a very important person in charge of an organization. They make big decisions and lead the team.
Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) -: The Aeronautical Development Agency, or ADA, is a group in India that works on making new airplanes and improving old ones.
Tejas-LCA -: Tejas-LCA is a type of fighter jet made in India. LCA stands for Light Combat Aircraft, which means it’s a small and fast plane used by the military.
Technological advancements -: Technological advancements are new and better ways of doing things using technology. For example, making a plane fly faster or use less fuel.
LCA AF Mk2 -: LCA AF Mk2 is a new version of the Tejas fighter jet. It will have better features and abilities than the older version.
AMCA project -: The AMCA project is about making a new type of advanced fighter jet in India. AMCA stands for Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.