Vivek Lall


Vivek Lall, a world renowned aerospace and defence leader has been appointed as Chief Executive of US defence and nuclear giant General Atomics Global Corporation on Sunday. Before joining General Atomics, Dr Lall worked with Lockheed Martin till April this year, and held key positions with Boeing and Reliance. It is Dr Lall's second stint with General Atomics, he has earlier worked with the company from August 2014 to December 2017. He has also worked as CEO and President of Reliance New Ventures Reliance Industries Limited. Dr. Lall was heading the Boeing operations in India from 2007 till April 2011. Dr. Lall previously worked for the US-based global defense and nuclear giant General Atomics as the global Chief Executive for international Commercial Strategic Development for General Atomics. He has been also recognized as one of the world's top scientists of the twentieth century by Cambridge.
General Atomics is best known for manufacturing one of the most important tools in modern warfare: the Predator, an unmanned spy plane used by the US in many global engagements. As Chief Executive he had US and international responsibilities of strategic development of systems like EMALS. Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System is a complete launch system designed to replace the existing steam catapult currently being used on U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. EMALS is being considered by the Indian Navy for its forthcoming aircraft carrier.
He was also affiliated with the United Nations in New York to advise on Broadband and Cyber Security issues for challenges within the global community and provide services that will help address them.

Early life

Vivek was born on 5 March 1969 in Jakarta, Indonesia. Dr. Lall began his technical education at Canada’s Carleton University and earned his bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. He was also instrumental in conducting research on single-engine blades for Canada’s National Aeronautical Establishment. Vivek completed his Aeronautical Engineering master's degree from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida. He also has done his PhD in Aerospace and an MBA from US. He then worked with NASA Ames Research Center where he was part of a project undertaking research work. With a fellowship from NASA, he finished his PhD in aerospace engineering at Wichita State University, Kansas.

Career

During his tenure in defense company Raytheon, he worked on the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System Beechcraft T-6 Texan II. He also worked on various disciplines at the NASA Ames Research Center. In 1996, Vivek joined The Boeing Company as an aerospace engineer and working on computational fluid dynamics and air elasticity and loads and dynamics for the 757-300 and 777 aircraft. He moved from engineering to management and later. In 2003, Boeing moved Vivek to Delhi, India, as managing director of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. During his tenure, Boeing secured $25 billion worth of commercial aircraft business in India. In May 2007, Vivek was appointed as Vice-President and Country Head for India, Boeing Defense Space & Security. Under his leadership, Boeing concluded the US-India defence deals for C17 strategic lift, P-8I Anti-submarine warfare aircraft and Harpoon Missiles. Vivek has previously worked with another defence company, Raytheon. At Reliance, Vivek undertakes production of aircraft, unmanned aerial systems, onboard equipment and various defence equipment in collaboration with foreign partners.
On January 2, 2018 Lockheed Martin announced the appointment of Vivek as vice president, Aeronautics Strategy and Business Development.

Associations