Projects

Explore APL’s Critical Contributions to Critical Challenges

  • Artist's rendering of the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent (Credit: (U.S. Air Force)

    Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent

    APL has a significant evaluation role in the Air Force program to replace the aging Minuteman III system.
    Learn more about Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent
  • Closeup of person's hands at keyboard and using CAD tool (Credit: Bigstock)

    Rapid Prototyping

    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
  • An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile launches during an operational test Sept. 5, 2016, at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michael Peterson)

    Dynamic Simulation

    With the clock ticking down to the first Minuteman III test flight to feature a miniature analog translator (MAT)—developed and built by APL to replace the obsolete full signal translator (FST) used for real-time range tracking and GPS signal data on prior test flights—qualification tests identified a need to change a configuration file in the MAT ground equipment.
    Learn more about Dynamic Simulation
  • Special Operations Forces in an Arctic environment (Credit: U.S. Navy)

    Mobile Communications

    Special Operations Forces (SOF) continue to rely on APL expertise to understand the communications technology landscape, inform requirements development, and identify options for mobile communications capabilities across a variety of operational scenarios.
    Learn more about Mobile Communications
  • Abstract representation of data analysis (Credit: Bigstock)

    Better Options for Data Analytics

    The open-architecture tool we developed for U.S. Special Operations Command’s Science and Technology Directorate limits dependence on a single vendor and enables the command to evaluate data analysis and visualization tools against defined data and interfaces.
    Learn more about Better Options for Data Analytics
  • Sonar screen (Credit: Bigstock)

    Integrated Undersea Surveillance Systems

    We are solving critical challenges for the Navy’s undersea surveillance community, making contributions such as active and passive sonar processing algorithms for inclusion in the Advanced Surveillance Build tactical sonar modernization program.
    Learn more about Integrated Undersea Surveillance Systems
  • Submarine

    Submarine Survivability Program

    The SSN/SSGN survivability program ensures our submarines stay hidden regardless of new technology, changing mission requirements, and increasingly sophisticated adversaries.
    Learn more about Submarine Survivability Program
  • Planes in flight (Credit: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph E. Montemarano)

    Modeling Warfighter Decision-Making

    Working with technical consultants and the Navy fighter aircraft community, we created a pilot-behavior model for air-to-air combat.
    Learn more about Modeling Warfighter Decision-Making
  • 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
  • Aircraft in flight (Credit: U.S. Navy)

    Next Generation Jammer

    Strongly leveraging APL’s technical expertise, the Navy’s Next Generation Jammer (NGJ) Mid-Band (Increment 1) program entered the engineering and manufacturing development phase.
    Learn more about Next Generation Jammer
  • USS Ronald Reagan (Credit: US Navy / Jason Tarleton)

    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.
    Learn more about Deployed with the Fleet
  • An image collage shows the various technologies and people, both on the ground and in space, susceptible to space weather. A coronal mass ejection and solar flare emerging from the Sun on the left illustrate some of the more extreme causes of space weather. (Credit: Johns Hopkins APL)

    Space Weather Sensors

    Knowing the distribution and direction of energetic charged particles along a spacecraft’s trajectory is key to situational and satellite-health awareness, yet many missions resist flying particle sensors because the instruments can be heavy and expensive.
    Learn more about Space Weather Sensors
  • 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
  • SKA experiment sensor

    Spacebased Kill Assessment (SKA)

    APL developed and tested the sensors for the Missile Defense Agency’s SKA system, currently on orbit and executing planned test events.
    Learn more about Spacebased Kill Assessment (SKA)
  • Illustration of a globe (Credit: Bigstock)

    Ensuring Resilient Enabling Capabilities in Denied Environments

    On behalf of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, APL is merging technical capabilities with acquisition strategy to mitigate adversary threats to command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) in the maritime, terrestrial, air, space, and cyber domains.
    Learn more about Ensuring Resilient Enabling Capabilities in Denied Environments