Air and Missile Defense
World-class expertise in protecting the nation and our allies from air and missile threats
Johns Hopkins APL has been instrumental in developing advanced capabilities to defend our forces and allies against aircraft and missile threats. Our world-class expertise in air and missile defense began to take shape with the development of the radio proximity fuze in World War II. Since then, we have continued to respond to emerging and evolving threats through innovative, effective, and affordable air and missile defense solutions. We apply our expertise to make current systems more effective, and we have adapted several technologies for new missions and developed novel technologies for future implementation.
Related Projects
-
![Deep Space Advanced Radar Concept (DARC)]()
Learn more about Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) Technology DemonstrationDeep Space Advanced Radar Capability (DARC) Technology Demonstration
APL is leading solutions for the Space Force with the DARC technology demonstrator program. -
![Golden Horde]()
Learn more about Golden HordeGolden Horde
Achieving networked, collaborative offensive weapons systems that will learn from their environment and autonomously work together to defeat integrated air and missile defenses. -
![Artist's rendering of the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (Credit: (U.S. Air Force)]()
Learn more about Ground-Based Strategic DeterrentGround-Based Strategic Deterrent
APL has a significant evaluation role in the Air Force program to replace the aging Minuteman III system. -
![APL FSO operators check the monitors on Sea Hunter as a third operator monitors operations.]()
Learn more about Optical Communications at SeaOptical Communications at Sea
We successfully demonstrated a high-bandwidth free-space optical (FSO) communications system between two moving ships, proving operational utility of FSO technology in the maritime environment. -
![A team of APL engineers, working with the Missile Defense Agency and sailors aboard USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), an Aegis baseline 9.C1 equipped destroyer, successfully fired a salvo of two SM-6 Dual I missiles against a complex medium-range ballistic missile target, demonstrating the Sea Based Terminal endo-atmospheric defensive capability and meeting the test’s primary objective. (Credit: MDA)]()
Learn more about Standard Missile-3: The Next GenerationStandard Missile-3: The Next Generation
APL led key “end-to-end” system-level performance analysis in collaboration with the government–industry team for the SM-3 Block IIA missile, cooperatively developed by the United States and Japan. -
![September 18, 2013: An SM-3 Block 1B interceptor is launched from the USS Lake Erie during an MDA test and successfully intercepted a complex short-range ballistic missile target off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii. (Credit: MDA)]()
Learn more about Test Target PrototypingTest Target Prototyping
A cross-APL team of engineers, working with the Missile Defense Agency’s (MDA) Target and Countermeasures Directorate and other government and industry partners, develops cost-effective solutions for MDA to support live-fire testing of interceptors, sensors, and fire control systems. -
![Radar screen (Credit: Bigstock)]()
Learn more about Testing Air and Missile Defense RadarTesting Air and Missile Defense Radar
APL teamed with industry and the Above Water Sensors Directorate of Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems on two successful tests of the AN/SPY-6(V), a wideband digital beam-forming sensor known as the Air and Missile Defense Radar.
Related News
-
![A Standard Missile-3 Block IIA is launched from the USS McCampbell off the coast of the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii during FTX-23. (Credit: MDA/U.S. Navy)]()
Learn more about Johns Hopkins APL Plays Pivotal Role in Successful FTX-23 Missile Defense TestPress Release
Apr 9, 2024Johns Hopkins APL Plays Pivotal Role in Successful FTX-23 Missile Defense Test
APL played a pivotal role in a successful demonstration of the Aegis Weapon System’s ability to track and intercept a complex missile target. -
![Missile defense system (Credit: Bigstock)]()
Learn more about Johns Hopkins APL Marks 15 Impactful Years of Pushing the Boundaries of Missile DesignNews
Feb 12, 2024Johns Hopkins APL Marks 15 Impactful Years of Pushing the Boundaries of Missile Design
For 15 years, APL has been advancing a new paradigm for missile design, known as multidisciplinary design optimization, that overcomes the limitations of traditional processes. Along the way, the Laboratory has developed cutting-edge tools that have supported a wide range of government agencies and advanced the state of the art among industry partners and government sponsors. -
![Earth]()
Learn more about Johns Hopkins APL, University of Colorado Boulder Formalize National Security Research PartnershipPress Release
Dec 13, 2023Johns Hopkins APL, University of Colorado Boulder Formalize National Security Research Partnership
APL and the University of Colorado Boulder have signed a master research agreement that expands their existing partnership and opens new avenues for collaboration to address critical national security objectives and workforce needs. -
![Scientist at Sea]()
Learn more about At Sea, Johns Hopkins APL Engineer Gains Inspiration and Insights for Tech DevelopmentNews
Oct 4, 2023At Sea, Johns Hopkins APL Engineer Gains Inspiration and Insights for Tech Development
Floating in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Sherry Chen looked out over the 1,000-foot deck as two F-18 fighter jets revved for take-off. Over the course of a five-day embarkation on an aircraft carrier, Chen gained valuable insights into the technology she helps develop for Navy sailors. -
![A medium range ballistic missile target is launched from Makaha Ridge, part of the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) in Kauai, Hawaii, during FTM-31 E1a]()
Learn more about Johns Hopkins APL Provides Critical Contributions to Successful Ballistic Missile Intercept TestNews
Sep 14, 2023Johns Hopkins APL Provides Critical Contributions to Successful Ballistic Missile Intercept Test
APL — in cooperation with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. Navy — demonstrated the capability to detect, track, engage and intercept a medium-range ballistic missile target in the terminal phase of flight.
