Projects and Missions

Below is a sampling of APL’s critical contributions to critical challenges. Projects and missions are displayed in alphabetical order. 

Filter projects and missions by area of impact, mission area, or both.

Raphael Norman-Tenazas, neuro-AI researcher, tests a robot navigation strategy inspired by the fruit fly connectome.

Neuroscience-Inspired Artificial Intelligence

Developing next-generation learning algorithms that draw inspiration from biological nervous systems to revolutionize intelligent systems.
Learn more about Neuroscience-Inspired Artificial Intelligence
Artist's rendering of New Horizons

New Horizons

New Horizons is the first mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, the distant region of planetary building blocks that hold keys to our solar system’s formation.
Learn more about New Horizons
Aircraft in flight (Credit: U.S. Navy)

Next Generation Jammer

We have been part of the NGJ team since initial concept development in 2001—playing a key role in the evolution of this initiative to equip warfighters of all services with state-of-the-art technology to address emerging electronic warfare gaps.
Learn more about Next Generation Jammer
APL FSO operators check the monitors on Sea Hunter as a third operator monitors operations.

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.
Learn more about Optical Communications at Sea
Artist's rendering of Parker Solar Probe

Parker Solar Probe

Parker Solar Probe dives closer to the Sun than humanity has ever ventured to unlock the mysteries of our nearest star.
Learn more about Parker Solar Probe
M1200 Armored Knight (Credit: U.S. Army/Sgt. Richard Daniels Jr.)

Precision Targeting

Working to ensure that ground forces can rapidly and accurately provide GPS locations of battlefield targets, APL performed design analyses and developed procedures that resulted in the successful testing of the Joint Effects Targeting System (JETS) and improvements to the system’s precision geolocation capability.
Learn more about Precision Targeting
Johns Hopkins APL's 60-foot dish antenna illuminated at night

Preventing Traffic Jams in Space

Providing greater situational awareness to enhance safety and security for those who plan to operate in cislunar space and on the Moon.
Learn more about Preventing Traffic Jams in Space
Closeup of person's hands at keyboard and using CAD tool (Credit: Bigstock)

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.
Learn more about Rapid Prototyping for Launcher Training
Visualization of machine learning

Revolutionizing Materials Discovery for National Security

APL is reimagining and accelerating the targeted discovery of materials tailored to withstand and perform in the most demanding conditions, ensuring enhanced capabilities in extreme environments.
Learn more about Revolutionizing Materials Discovery for National Security
Johnny Matheny uses APL's Modular Prosthetic Limb (MPL) to take a drink

Revolutionizing Prosthetics

Revolutionizing Prosthetics is an ambitious multiyear program—funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)—to create a neurally controlled artificial limb that will restore near-natural motor and sensory capability to upper-extremity amputee patients.
Learn more about Revolutionizing Prosthetics
Neil Fendley, machine learning researcher, demonstrates a backdoor adversarial attack he embedded in a computer vision application.

Robust and Resilient Artificial Intelligence

Developing intelligent systems for missions characterized by uncertain and adversarial environments.
Learn more about Robust and Resilient Artificial Intelligence
Helicopter (Credit: U.S. Marine Corps)

Senior Leader Helicopter Communications

APL is working with the Navy to enhance communications on the senior leader helicopter fleet.
Learn more about Senior Leader Helicopter Communications
Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 and the French Carrier Air Wing fly over the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) (Credit: U.S. Navy/MC3 Brooke Macchietto)

Shaping the Joint Future Operating Environment

On behalf of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, APL led development of the Joint Future Operating Environment, which lays the foundation for force development across the services.
Learn more about Shaping the Joint Future Operating Environment
Abstract view of police lights (Credit: Bigstock)

Situational Awareness for First Responders

Under the direction of the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, APL partnered with the New York City Police Department’s Emergency Service Unit in April 2017 to field-test and evaluate a commercial Mobile Ad-hoc Networking (MANET) system.
Learn more about Situational Awareness for First Responders
View from space of the Moon near Earth during a sunrise. (Credit: Shutterstock with NASA elements)

Space Security and Defense

APL provides expertise to the Space Security and Defense program, a joint Department of Defense/Office of the Director of National Intelligence organization focused on creating a more resilient and enduring national security space capability.
Learn more about Space Security and Defense