Accelerating national readiness and resilience through mission-driven manufacturing innovation
Leveraging AI-driven design, precision fabrication, novel sensing, materials process development, and hybrid electronics packaging, APL delivers resilient, high-performance solutions that advance national defense, space, and infrastructure.
Featured
New Robotic Arm Opens Doors to Explore Future of Maritime Repair →APL has installed a state-of-the-art robotic arm to advance repair and manufacturing for the maritime industrial base. Using wire arc additive manufacturing and advanced sensing technologies, the system makes faster, more precise repairs of oversized components possible—strengthening fleet readiness and reducing costs. This innovation builds on APL’s commitment to supporting Navy sustainment and industrial agility.
Our Advanced Manufacturing Process and Capabilities
APL bridges early research to the creation of highly complex, operational prototypes for deployment to the front lines. Our advanced manufacturing capabilities create opportunities to optimize the timeline for fielding new systems, decrease overall risk, and ensure team continuity, from research, through engineering and fabrication, to mission deployment.
Materials Characterization
Analyzing material properties using tools like electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction to optimize performance for aerospace, defense, and energy systems and applications
Design and Planning
Designing using digital twins, CAD, and AI-driven simulations to streamline manufacturability, reduce costs, and accelerate prototyping for complex systems
Fabrication
Building advanced components via additive manufacturing, CNC machining, and advanced joining techniques (e.g., laser welding), enabling complex geometries and precise fabrication of metals, polymers, and composites
Quality Control
Conducting real-time inspections with non-destructive evaluation and AI tools, ensuring precision and compliance with aerospace/defense standards through dynamic, data-driven feedback
Custom Printed Circuit Board Design and Fabrication
Delivering advanced PCBs for a broad spectrum of applications, from rapid-turn prototypes to highly reliable boards for space missions
Microelectronics Fabrication
Supporting quick-turn fieldable prototypes and novel material integration, with the ability plate exotic substrates
Assembly and Integration
Assembling and integrating high-precision sensor systems and satellites using robotic and manual techniques, delivering operational readiness for mission-critical applications
Testing and Certification
Testing systems under extreme conditions (e.g., thermal, vibration, etc.) and certifying compliance with ISO, NASA, and DoD standards to validate performance and safety
Delivery and Deployment
Coordinating end-to-end logistics and deploying complex systems globally, ensuring seamless integration and field readiness
Focus Areas
Game-Changing Impact
From harnessing the power of additive manufacturing to integrating advanced digital technologies, APL’s researchers and engineers are redefining the art of the possible and creating new opportunities for growth and exploration. We deliver bespoke manufacturing solutions to meet our nation’s biggest challenges.
Materials Development and Characterization
Developing and characterizing cutting-edge materials to accelerate innovation
Deployed Capabilities
Delivering precision-engineered solutions for critical defense and aerospace missions
Standards Development and Leadership
Driving national manufacturing standards to align defense, industry, and research innovations
Expertise
At APL, our culture of taking bold risks, brought to life through inventive prototyping and informed by deep technical expertise, is the basis for our efforts to not merely anticipate the future, but create it.
Related Labs and Facilities
Design, Engineering, and Fabrication
Learn more about our labs, facilities, and expertise in design, engineering, and fabrication.
Chief Scientist, Additive ManufacturingA unique aspect of working at APL is the ability to leverage technology from seemingly unrelated areas. For example, we can take knowledge we apply to missile defense—responding to measurement inputs very quickly and making adjustments even faster—and apply it to additive manufacturing.
Related News
Jan 23, 2026
Flight Engineers Give NASA’s Dragonfly Lift
Nov 12, 2025
New Robotic Arm Opens Doors to Explore Future of Maritime Repair
Sep 17, 2025
An Accelerated Paradigm for Developing Mission-Critical Materials
Aug 5, 2025
Design Standard Update Improves Modular Architecture for Unmanned Platforms
Jun 17, 2025
Johns Hopkins APL, Navy Team up to Advance Additive Manufacturing for Critical Missions
Featured Issues
Technical Digest
The Johns Hopkins APL Technical Digest communicates recent advances by APL in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Explore these featured issues to learn more about APL’s advanced manufacturing work.
Vol. 37, No. 3 (2024)
Concept Design and Realization Branch—Part II
Vol. 36, No. 4 (2023)
Concept Design and Realization Branch—Part I