Two men working with technology

Expertise

APL solves complex research, engineering, and analytical problems that present critical challenges to our nation. As the nation’s largest university affiliated research center, we provide U.S. government agencies with deep expertise in specialized fields to support national priorities and technology development programs. We also serve as independent trusted technical agents to the government, providing continuity for highly complex, multigenerational technology development systems.

As a university affiliated research center (UARC), we maintain robust engineering and research and development expertise in eight core competencies to meet the needs of our government sponsors. Our core competencies are:

  • Strategic systems test and evaluation
  • Submarine security and survivability
  • Space science and engineering
  • Combat systems and guided missiles
  • Air and missile defense and power projection
  • Information technology (C4ISR/IO)
  • Simulation, modeling, and operations analysis
  • Mission-related research, development, test, and evaluation
Critical Contributions to Critical Challenges

Our scientists, engineers, and analysts serve as trusted advisors and technical experts to the government, ensuring the reliability of complex technologies that safeguard our nation’s security and advance the frontiers of space. We also maintain independent research and development programs that pioneer and explore emerging technologies and concepts to address future national priorities.

Learn more about how APL is delivering critical contributions critical challenges.

Strategic Deterrence

Mission Areas →

Our 13 mission areas are organized and equipped to meet unique sponsor and mission needs, providing them with dedicated, on-call engineering, scientific, and analytical expertise.


Learn more about Mission Areas
Combat Systems Evaluation and Minotaur Laboratories

Impact →

By combining creativity and technical expertise with a culture of risk-taking, we tackle increasingly difficult challenges with impacts across multiple domains.


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Intelligent Systems Center

Labs and Facilities →

Innovation is woven into everything we do. Explore some of our cutting-edge collaboration spaces, labs, and test facilities.


Learn more about Labs and Facilities
Close up of purple gloves and yellow chip

Partnerships →

As a UARC and research division of Johns Hopkins University — and alongside our partners, sponsors, and suppliers — APL has a unique opportunity to make the world healthier, safer, and more secure.


Learn more about Partnerships

The complex challenges of today’s world demand new technologies that can keep us safer and take us farther, and APL’s engineers and scientists are meeting that demand head-on. From the unforgiving, harsh environment of outer space to the evolving new domain of mixed reality, APL is pioneering solutions in both the real and digital worlds to tackle critical national challenges.

To meet these challenges and maintain the nation’s defensive edge, APL calls upon its deep expertise in a number of technical domains, both cutting-edge and foundational, provided by staff members across the Lab.

  • A medium range ballistic missile target is launched from Makaha Ridge, part of the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) in Kauai, Hawaii, during FTM-31 E1a

    Tactical and Ballistic Missile Defense Systems

  • Wearable TFTEC device

    Thermoelectrics

  • Woman walking through airport terminal

    Transportation Security

  • Virtual Workshop on 5G Technologies for First Responder and Tactical Networks

    Wireless Networking and Communications Technologies