Perspectives on Engineering Design and Fabrication at APL

Abstract

This reflective discussion by the head of APL’s Research and Exploratory Development Department (REDD) looks back at the Concept Design and Realization Branch’s first decade and a few of the successes made possible by the visionary strategy to position the design and fabrication capabilities alongside APL’s traditional research and development corps, an organizational move that created REDD more than 10 years ago. In discussing some of the emerging trends in fabrication and APL’s contributions, the article illustrates that the branch is well equipped to continue pursuing the department’s vision of accelerating transformative innovation and inventing the future for APL.