Mission Area
Theater Defense
Revolutionizing the Art of Defense
Johns Hopkins APL’s Theater Defense Mission Area creates innovative and effective system solutions to defend forward-deployed U.S. forces, allies, and partners across the globe from the threat of air and missile attack. Building on our legacy of addressing emerging threats posed by advanced aircraft and cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic missiles, we develop, engineer, test, and transition solutions that address critical warfighting challenges in highly contested theaters.
Leadership
Vishal Giare Sector Head, Air and Missile Defense
Learn more about Vishal Giare
Patrick Stadter Mission Area Executive, Theater Defense
Learn more about Patrick A. StadterHighlights
Real World Cell
Quick data analysis and real-time guidance from APL engineers allowed the Navy to validate system performance and make adjustments on the spot.
SABER
Passive, out-of-band network monitoring and alerting to enable shipboard systems to detect and respond to cyber threats
Recent News
Press Release
Aug 5, 2026
Johns Hopkins APL’s Stadter Named Vice Chair of Air Force Scientific Advisory Board
Patrick Stadter, APL’s mission area executive for Theater Defense, has been named vice chair of the Department of the Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, bringing decades of technical leadership in missile defense, national security space, and rapid acquisition to the board.
Press Release
Apr 21, 2026
Johns Hopkins APL Contributions Fuel Critical Navy Cybersecurity System
A Navy-engineered cybersecurity system infused with APL innovation, called Situational Awareness, Boundary Enforcement, and Response (SABER), has become a key line of security in protecting Navy ships against cyberattacks.
Press Release
Nov 24, 2025
Stadter Named Mission Area Executive for Theater Defense at Johns Hopkins APL
Patrick Stadter has been appointed mission area executive for Theater Defense within the Air and Missile Defense Sector at APL. In this role, Stadter will lead efforts to deliver innovative solutions that strengthen the nation’s air and missile defense capabilities. His extensive experience in aerospace systems and national security will be pivotal in guiding the Laboratory’s teams currently developing technologies that help protect U.S. and allied forces from increasingly complex regional threats in theaters across the globe.