APL’s Asymmetric Operations Sector: Driven by Envisioned Futures

Abstract

As the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) looks toward its 100th anniversary in 2042, its leaders are undertaking strategic planning efforts to imagine the challenges the future Lab—and indeed the future nation and world—will face. APL’s Asymmetric Operations Sector (AOS) created envisioned futures for 13 challenges spanning its four mission areas, Cyber Operations, Special Operations, Homeland Protection, and National Health, and is focusing its efforts on creating disruptive technical solutions to realize these envisioned futures. This article describes the envisioned futures and the strategic efforts involved in their formulation.