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Aerodynamics
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Astrobiology and Planetary Science
Studying the composition, dynamics, and chemistry of bodies in the solar system and beyond to explore planet formation, evolution, and habitability.
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Astrophysics and Exoplanets
Developing new observational strategies and analytical techniques to help unravel the mysteries of the stars, galaxy, and universe.
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Biomedicine
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Cislunar Science and Technology
APL is making critical contributions to the development of cislunar infrastructure to ensure our nation’s security interests are protected, support development of a sustainable cislunar presence, and advance pioneering science.
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Command and Control Systems
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Critical Infrastructure Protection
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Cyber-Physical Security
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Display Systems
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Electrical and Mechanical Engineering
We excel in electrical and mechanical engineering, mechatronics, electronics packaging, systems integration, and multiscale modeling.
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Electronics Design and Fabrication
We provide an integrated capability to build hardware ranging from quick-turn prototypes to fully qualified spaceflight assemblies and from nanoscales up to fully integrated electronic packages for deployment on land, undersea, and on space systems.
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Guidance, Navigation, and Control Systems and Technologies
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Information Systems
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Mechanical Fabrication
Our science-based manufacturing and prototyping facility provides full-spectrum support, from conceptual R&D through configured hardware production.
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Modeling and Simulation
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.
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.
Impact →
By combining creativity and technical expertise with a culture of risk-taking, we tackle increasingly difficult challenges with impacts across multiple domains.
Labs and Facilities →
Innovation is woven into everything we do. Explore some of our cutting-edge collaboration spaces, labs, and test facilities.
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.
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.