Scaled Hypersonics
APL advances survivable materials, guidance, and control through modeling, testing, and validation to support exquisite and scalable hypersonic systems. We enable precision mission execution in degraded, contested environments and accelerate fielding through modular designs, open architectures, and agile integration for offense and defense.
Johns Hopkins APL Breakthrough Puts Heat-Resistant Materials on a Faster Track Sep 3, 2026
APL engineers have developed a novel approach for making carbon-carbon composites, cutting production times from months to days. The new approach could ease long-standing supply constraints for one of the most critical high-temperature materials in the aerospace and defense industries.
Contested Logistics Technologies
APL identifies effective, affordable contested logistics capabilities and builds resilient, secure digital logistics networks. We enable point-of-need production through agentic knowledge management, advanced manufacturing, and autonomous logistics to sustain operations in contested environments.
Featured Work
Enhancing Naval Readiness with Onboard 3D Printing Solutions
Implementing onboard 3D printing systems to enable ships to produce essential parts at sea, thereby enhancing operational readiness and reducing maintenance delays
Learn more about
Enhancing Naval Readiness with Onboard 3D Printing Solutions
Applied Artificial Intelligence
APL develops secure, mission-ready AI and autonomy capabilities from edge to cloud. We deliver assured AI for sensing, threat hunting, and decision-making in contested environments, with continuous red-teaming and robust assurance to enable reliable, scalable autonomy.
Featured Work
GenWar Sim
Integrating large language models with AFSIM—making high-fidelity simulations accessible to users through natural language interaction
Learn more about
GenWar Sim
Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance
APL evaluates and develops quantum sensing, resilient navigation, and adaptive spectrum control for advantage in GPS-denied and contested environments. We develop resilient communications and mission-relevant quantum computing capabilities, integrating spectrum, cyber, and space capabilities for information superiority and to sustain mission connectivity.
Quantum Benchmarking Initiative
Identifying and assessing unconventional approaches to building practical quantum computers
Learn more about
Quantum Benchmarking Initiative
Biomanufacturing
APL delivers modular, adaptive biomanufacturing at the point of need. We strengthen the industrial base, engineer next-generation bio-enabled materials, and counter adversary biotechnology through early detection, attribution, and intervention technologies.
Featured Work
Feedstocks for Food Production
Accelerating biomanufacturing to quickly produce safe and reliable sources of nutrition in areas where resources are scarce
Learn more about
Feedstocks for Food Production
Scaled Directed Energy
APL advances resilient directed energy capabilities for precision engagement in contested environments. We integrate beam control, propagation, and non-kinetic weaponeering and combat system integration to inform the creation of layered defense architectures.
Featured Facility
Facility for EMP and RF Directed Energy (FEARDE)
High-power microwave (HPM) weapon systems use very high-power pulses of electromagnetic energy to disrupt or damage electrical systems, and our adversaries are fielding HPM weapons that are quickly becoming a threat to U.S. military assets. FEARDE is dedicated to evaluating the susceptibility of electrical components and systems to HPM signals and offers three large test chambers to support HPM projects. The facility is also equipped with a full suite of specialized radio frequency test equipment, including high-power amplifiers, electric field and magnetic field probes, complex signal generators, signal analyzers and wideband receivers to allow for the configuration and execution of custom test designs.