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
Golden Horde
Achieving networked, collaborative offensive weapons systems that will learn from their environment and autonomously work together to defeat integrated air and missile defenses.
Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent
APL has a significant evaluation role in the Air Force program to replace the aging Minuteman III system.
Optical 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.
Rapid Prototyping for Launcher Training
We improved on training aids by rapidly and cost-effectively prototyping an interactive pressurization valve for missile tube launcher training.
Standard 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.
Test 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.
Testing 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
News
Apr 7, 2025
Johns Hopkins APL Team Applies Expertise to Homeland Defense Wargame
A team from APL played a central role in a recent Defense Department wargame that addressed the challenges of protecting logistics infrastructure against growing adversarial threats.
News
Jan 23, 2025
Johns Hopkins APL’s Van Wie Honored for National Security Leadership
APL Air and Missile Defense Sector Head Dave Van Wie was recognized at two events by his alma mater, the University of Maryland A. James Clark School of Engineering, for his long record of national service, professional leadership and success.
News
Sep 25, 2024
Johns Hopkins APL’s DeLaHunt Honored With Awards Recognizing Women in Engineering
Sylvie DeLaHunt, an aerospace engineer and assistant supervisor of APL’s Discovery Program, has been named the recipient of two prestigious awards — the Society of Women Engineers Emerging Advocate Award and the Women in Aerospace Initiative, Inspiration, Impact Award.
Feature Story
May 21, 2024
Into Vanishing Ice
The melting Arctic is creating new trade, economic and operational opportunities — but also new challenges that could threaten the U.S. border and the region’s fragile ecosystem. Researchers at Johns Hopkins APL are pooling their expertise and established experience in materials, modeling, AI and sensing to develop the technology and knowledge for a sustainable and lasting foothold in this rapidly changing region.
Press Release
Apr 9, 2024
Johns 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.