Mission Area
Precision Strike
Johns Hopkins APL’s Precision Strike Mission Area delivers critical precision strike contributions, addressing tactical aircraft, kinetic and non-kinetic weapon systems, and end-to-end capability development and demonstration. Our work spans research and development of technologies supporting emerging capabilities, technical support to major acquisition programs, and close interaction with the warfighters who use these capabilities. Our experts address integrated strike development of end-to-end solutions from detection through engagement, electronic attack development of non-kinetic capabilities, and advanced development aimed at experimentation and prototyping.
Leadership
Andrew Mara Sector Head, Force Projection
Learn more about Andrew Mara
Brian Geesaman Mission Area Executive, Precision Strike
Learn more about Brian GeesamanHighlights
AlphaDogfight Trials
APL served as a core member of the Air Combat Evolution program team created by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for the 2020 AlphaDogfight Trials, a showdown between eight AI research teams from across the United States.
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AlphaDogfight Trials
Deployed with the Fleet
In 2017, APL staff members deployed on U.S. Navy Commander, Task Force 70 (CTF-70) patrols aboard the carrier USS Ronald Reagan—an assignment that allowed our engineers to experience the fleet’s challenges and operational workflows, and gather important data to feed future analyses and technology demonstrations in operationally relevant environments.
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Deployed with the Fleet
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.
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Golden Horde
Recent News
News
Jan 9, 2026
Global Partners to Highlight BOLT Hypersonic Experiment Success
Learning from an anomaly during the first BOLT-1A flight, the successful BOLT-1B follow-on flight experiment collected hundreds of critical measurements, providing data to advance understanding of complex physics important to hypersonic flight.
Press Release
Sep 8, 2025
Mara Named Head of Force Projection Sector at Johns Hopkins APL
Andrew Mara has been named head of the Force Projection Sector at APL. Mara joined APL in 2023 as the head of the National Security Analysis Department, where he led the development of advanced technical capabilities to enable high-impact analyses of strategic challenges.
News
Jan 29, 2025
Johns Hopkins APL’s Kennedy Honored for Electronic Warfare Work
The Association of Old Crows has honored Johns Hopkins APL’s Paul Kennedy for his contributions to electronic warfare research.