News
Mar 12, 2026
Dragonfly Mission Begins Rotorcraft Integration, Testing Stage
Integration and testing — the activities involved in assembling the Dragonfly rotorcraft lander and testing it for the rigors of launch and extreme conditions of space — is officially underway in Johns Hopkins APL clean rooms and control rooms.
News
Mar 11, 2026
Johns Hopkins APL Pioneering Digital Calibration to Create ‘Born-Qualified’ Parts
APL is developing a comprehensive suite of capabilities to ensure that additively manufactured parts can perform predictably in mission-critical applications — no matter where, when, or on what machines they’re manufactured.
News
Mar 9, 2026
‘ATLAS’ System Lifts Johns Hopkins APL Leadership in Automated Experimentation
An interdisciplinary APL team created ATLAS, an artificial intelligence co-investigator that automates testing, learning, and synthesis for microcapsules, which has decreased human labor required per experiment by more than 80% and advances APL progress in microcapsule development and automated experimentation.
News
Mar 4, 2026
Simulating the Seas to Make Additive Manufacturing Fleet-Ready
Johns Hopkins APL and GKN Aerospace are partnering to develop a system that simulates shipboard motion for metal 3D printing at sea — advancing the Navy’s ability to produce critical parts on demand. Building on APL’s success aboard the USS Bataan, this effort aims to enable motion-aware manufacturing of mission-essential components in dynamic maritime environments.
News
Mar 2, 2026
Researchers Engineer Cold-Tolerant Proteins to Give U.S. an Arctic Edge
Researchers at Johns Hopkins APL, inspired by biomolecules found in cold-tolerant organisms, are developing novel materials that can control ice formation. Their breakthroughs could lead to new technologies for the U.S. military, from advanced materials for construction to medical treatments that can prevent frostbite and preserve sensitive biological samples.
Press Release
Feb 24, 2026
MDA, Johns Hopkins APL Demonstrate Low-Cost Approach to Missile Defense Testing
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and APL have successfully demonstrated a new, lower-cost approach to national missile defense testing validating that commercially operated rockets can support rapid, affordable flight tests for missile defense programs.
Press Release
Feb 18, 2026
Johns Hopkins APL’s Adams Honored for Innovative National Security Work
Sarah Adams, program manager for Alternative Computing Paradigms, was honored by the Intelligence and National Security Alliance (INSA) for her contributions to advancing science and technology research in support of national security.
Press Release
Feb 12, 2026
Johns Hopkins APL Director Emeritus Semmel Elected to the National Academy of Engineering
APL Director Emeritus Ralph Semmel has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his leadership in generating innovative and disruptive engineering advancements in defense, national security, and space exploration.
News
Feb 10, 2026
Johns Hopkins APL Research Helps Shape Landmark Federal Expansion of Unmanned Aircraft Operations
An APL research team help set new standards that could help drones more safely share America’s skies.
Press Release
Feb 5, 2026
Johns Hopkins APL Experts Named to Department of War’s First Science, Technology and Innovation Board
Mitch Nikolich and James Gosler, national security experts from APL, have been named to the Department of War’s first Science, Technology and Innovation Board.