Mission Area
Homeland Defense
Johns Hopkins APL’s Homeland Defense Mission Area develops innovative and effective solutions to defend the U.S. homeland and its critical infrastructure from increasingly diverse and sophisticated adversary threats. As offensive systems that can endanger our homeland emerge and evolve, APL envisions and creates critical defense technologies that will protect our nation. We develop cutting-edge solutions to support the missions of the Department of War and Department of Homeland Security to secure the United States from threat.
Leadership
Vishal Giare Sector Head, Air and Missile Defense
Learn more about Vishal Giare
Andrew Oak Mission Area Executive, Homeland Defense
Learn more about Andrew OakHighlights
Space-Based Interceptor
APL serves as technical direction agent for the U.S. Space Force’s Space-Based Interceptor program, in support of Golden Dome for America.
Skyward
Skyward is a decision-support tool for defense operators that offers a real-time threat assessment and course-of-action recommendation for each drone it detects.
ACAS X: Airborne Collision Avoidance for the 21st Century
ACAS X is a 21st century collision avoidance system that will help human pilots share the airspace with uncrewed vehicles.
Recent News
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.
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
Jul 15, 2025
Giare Named Head of Johns Hopkins APL’s Air and Missile Defense Sector
Vishal Giare has been appointed head of APL’s Air and Missile Defense Sector, where he will lead APL’s efforts to advance the nation’s ability to defend our homeland, deployed forces, allies and partners against increasingly complex adversary threats.