Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

Mission

Johns Hopkins APL provides solutions to national security and scientific challenges with systems engineering and integration, research and development, and analysis. Since our founding in 1942 to aid a country at war, we have focused on practical applications of our research in a wide range of scientific and technological fields. We continue to relentlessly pursue the mission we have followed since our first day: to make critical contributions to critical challenges for our nation.

Impact

The complex challenges of today’s world demand new technologies that can keep us safer and take us farther, and APL’s engineers and scientists are meeting that demand head-on.

Whether they are potentially thwarting natural threats from space, combating climate change, or accelerating the creation of new materials, their endless ingenuity is enabling technology that pushes the very edge of what is possible to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Air and Missile Defense

Johns Hopkins APL has been instrumental in developing advanced capabilities to defend our forces and allies against aircraft and missile threats.

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Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Autonomy

Advancing AI and intelligent systems to ensure the technology's capabilities while identifying, minimizing, or eliminating its weaknesses.

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Biology and Bioengineering

We work to measure, understand, and harness biological systems and processes to drive innovation and enable new capabilities to address critical challenges to national security and human health.

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Climate and Environment

We explore and develop technologies to respond to national security and public health challenges in a rapidly changing environment.

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Communications Systems

Effective communications systems and networks are of vital importance to government, military, and commercial operations.

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Cybersecurity

Cyberattacks are more elusive, and more damaging, than ever, targeting infrastructure across the nation and around the world.

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Health

Johns Hopkins APL is transforming health care by bringing significant new data analytics and systems engineering capability to the field of medicine that will enhance the nation’s ability to predict, prevent, and detect illness and injury.

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Hypersonics

Hypersonics will be an essential technology in tomorrow’s strategic defense landscape, a critical difference-maker in our nation’s ability to protect itself and our allies against a new generation of threats.

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Independent Research and Development

From a multitiered grant system and robust research and leadership development programs to leading-edge collaboration initiatives and workspaces, Johns Hopkins APL fuels creativity and new ideas at every level.

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ISR Technology

We develop, prototype, and transition state-of-the-art capabilities to revolutionize intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems and technologies.

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Next-Generation Materials

We invent, discover, and experiment with truly unique materials and explore new ways to realize their potential.

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Space Science and Engineering

Since the dawn of the Space Age, Johns Hopkins APL has pushed the frontiers of space science, engineering, and exploration.

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STEM and Community Engagement

Our mission extends beyond critical research and into the critical challenge of inspiring and training the next generation of scientists, engineers, and researchers.

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Strategy and Analysis

Since our founding in 1942, Johns Hopkins APL has proudly served a special role for the United States as a cornerstone research and analysis institution for some of our most critical defense technologies.

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Systems Engineering

Johns Hopkins APL has been developing systems since day one, and our world-class expertise in systems engineering is applied to solve problems that are more complex and difficult than other organizations can address.

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Cover of Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest (Volume 36, Number 4)

Featured

Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest Volume 36, Number 4 (2023)

The Concept Design and Realization Branch within APL’s Research and Exploratory Development Department provides an array of engineering, design, and fabrication capabilities that broadly support the Laboratory’s mission and sponsored work. This issue, the first of two, describes examples of the wide-ranging work of the branch, highlighting how it directly contributes to APL’s position as a unique resource to the nation.

Read the Latest Issue

Game-Changing Impact

We solve complex research, engineering, and analytical problems that present critical challenges to our nation.

By combining creativity and technical expertise with a culture of risk-taking, we tackle increasingly difficult challenges with impacts across multiple domains.

Explore Projects

Defining Innovations

It’s very seldom that you have computational engineers, physicists, and biochemists all sharing their expertise within one organization — and we have that at APL.

Carlos Martino Research Engineer and Scientist

Aug 17, 2023

Exoplanet Team Wins NASA Award to Search for Habitable Planets

Read More
Aug 17, 2023

Designing Conversational AI to Provide Medical Assistance on the Battlefield

Read More
Aug 15, 2023

Johns Hopkins APL Creates Autonomy Safety Net for AFWERX Autonomy Prime Program

Read More

We are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, but what makes APL truly unique is the culture surrounding the work we do.

We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your whole self to work, continue to grow, and build lifelong bonds with inspiring teammates.

Life at APL

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Stories From the Lab

Let’s Solve the Nation’s Challenges Together

Join Our Mission

Explore Our Work

Areas of Impact

Air and Missile Defense

Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Autonomy

Biology and Bioengineering

Climate and Environment

Communications Systems

Cybersecurity

Health

Hypersonics

Independent Research and Development

ISR Technology

Next-Generation Materials

Space Science and Engineering

STEM and Community Engagement

Strategy and Analysis

Systems Engineering

CriticalContributions to Critical Challenges

Our Approach

Featured

Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest Volume 36, Number 4 (2023)

Game-Changing Impact

News and Accomplishments

Aug 17, 2023

Exoplanet Team Wins NASA Award to Search for Habitable Planets

Aug 17, 2023

Designing Conversational AI to Provide Medical Assistance on the Battlefield

Aug 15, 2023

Johns Hopkins APL Creates Autonomy Safety Net for AFWERX Autonomy Prime Program

People Culture

Let’s Solve the Nation’s Challenges Together

Critical
Contributions
to Critical
Challenges