Mission Area
Theater Defense
Revolutionizing the Art of Defense
Johns Hopkins APL’s Theater Defense Mission Area creates innovative and effective system solutions to defend forward-deployed U.S. forces, allies, and partners across the globe from the threat of air and missile attack. Building on our legacy of addressing emerging threats posed by advanced aircraft and cruise, ballistic, and hypersonic missiles, we develop, engineer, test, and transition solutions that address critical warfighting challenges in highly contested theaters.
Leadership
Recent News
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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. -
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Learn more about Enabling Military Decision-Making at Operational TempoNews
Oct 3, 2023Enabling Military Decision-Making at Operational Tempo
By applying algorithmic approaches used to help robots navigate terrain and perform tasks, scientists at Johns Hopkins APL are enabling the military to automate key facets of tactical decision-making, ensuring the U.S. can maintain its competitive edge well into the future. -
![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.
