![Artist's rendering of New Horizons](/sites/default/files/2022-12/IMG_Projects_New-Horizons.jpg)
New Horizons
New Horizons is the first mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, the distant region of planetary building blocks that hold keys to our solar system’s formation.
![Aircraft in flight (Credit: U.S. Navy)](/sites/default/files/2023-01/IMG_Projects_Next-Generation-Jammer.jpg)
Next Generation Jammer
We have been part of the NGJ team since initial concept development in 2001—playing a key role in the evolution of this initiative to equip warfighters of all services with state-of-the-art technology to address emerging electronic warfare gaps.
![APL FSO operators check the monitors on Sea Hunter as a third operator monitors operations.](/sites/default/files/2023-01/IMG_Projects_Optical_Communications_1.jpg)
Optical Communications at Sea
We successfully demonstrated a high-bandwidth free-space optical (FSO) communications system between two moving ships, proving operational utility of FSO technology in the maritime environment.
![Artist's rendering of Parker Solar Probe](/sites/default/files/2022-12/IMG_Projects_Parker-Solar-Probe.jpg)
Parker Solar Probe
Parker Solar Probe dives closer to the Sun than humanity has ever ventured to unlock the mysteries of our nearest star.
![M1200 Armored Knight (Credit: U.S. Army/Sgt. Richard Daniels Jr.)](/sites/default/files/2023-01/IMG_Projects_Precision_Targeting.jpg)
Precision Targeting
Working to ensure that ground forces can rapidly and accurately provide GPS locations of battlefield targets, APL performed design analyses and developed procedures that resulted in the successful testing of the Joint Effects Targeting System (JETS) and improvements to the system’s precision geolocation capability.
![Johns Hopkins APL's 60-foot dish antenna illuminated at night](/sites/default/files/2023-01/IMG_Cover_Traffic_Jams_Space.jpg)
Preventing Traffic Jams in Space
Providing greater situational awareness to enhance safety and security for those who plan to operate in cislunar space and on the Moon.
![Closeup of person's hands at keyboard and using CAD tool (Credit: Bigstock)](/sites/default/files/2022-12/IMG_Projects_Rapid-Prototyping_Bigstock.jpg)
Rapid Prototyping for Launcher Training
We improved on training aids by rapidly and cost-effectively prototyping an interactive pressurization valve for missile tube launcher training.
![Visualization of machine learning](/sites/default/files/2024-07/IMG-Project-Revolutionizing-Materials-National-Security.jpg)
Revolutionizing Materials Discovery for National Security
APL is reimagining and accelerating the targeted discovery of materials tailored to withstand and perform in the most demanding conditions, ensuring enhanced capabilities in extreme environments.
![Johnny Matheny uses APL's Modular Prosthetic Limb (MPL) to take a drink](/sites/default/files/2023-01/IMG_Hero_Revolutionizing_Prosthetics_5D1_8601_1.jpg)
Revolutionizing Prosthetics
Revolutionizing Prosthetics is an ambitious multiyear program—funded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)—to create a neurally controlled artificial limb that will restore near-natural motor and sensory capability to upper-extremity amputee patients.
![Neil Fendley, machine learning researcher, demonstrates a backdoor adversarial attack he embedded in a computer vision application.](/sites/default/files/2023-10/Project-Robust-Resilient-AI.jpg)
Robust and Resilient Artificial Intelligence
Developing intelligent systems for missions characterized by uncertain and adversarial environments.
![Helicopter (Credit: U.S. Marine Corps)](/sites/default/files/2022-12/IMG_Projects_Helicopter_Communications.jpg)
Senior Leader Helicopter Communications
APL is working with the Navy to enhance communications on the senior leader helicopter fleet.
![Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 and the French Carrier Air Wing fly over the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) (Credit: U.S. Navy/MC3 Brooke Macchietto)](/sites/default/files/2023-01/IMG_Projects_Joint-Future-Operating-Environment_180515-N-JU894-0120.jpg)
Shaping the Joint Future Operating Environment
On behalf of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, APL led development of the Joint Future Operating Environment, which lays the foundation for force development across the services.
![Abstract view of police lights (Credit: Bigstock)](/sites/default/files/2022-12/IMG_Projects_Situational-Awareness-First-Responders_Bigstock.jpg)
Situational Awareness for First Responders
Under the direction of the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate, APL partnered with the New York City Police Department’s Emergency Service Unit in April 2017 to field-test and evaluate a commercial Mobile Ad-hoc Networking (MANET) system.
![View from space of the Moon near Earth during a sunrise. (Credit: Shutterstock with NASA elements)](/sites/default/files/2022-12/IMG_Projects_Space_Security_Defense.jpg)
Space Security and Defense
APL provides expertise to the Space Security and Defense program, a joint Department of Defense/Office of the Director of National Intelligence organization focused on creating a more resilient and enduring national security space capability.
![An image collage shows the various technologies and people, both on the ground and in space, susceptible to space weather. A coronal mass ejection and solar flare emerging from the Sun on the left illustrate some of the more extreme causes of space weather. (Credit: Johns Hopkins APL)](/sites/default/files/2022-12/IMG_Projects_Space-Weather-Sensors.jpg)
Space Weather Sensors
APL is developing a small, highly capable charged-particle sensor to deliver data that can help Air Force operators assess whether space weather conditions play a role in spacecraft anomalies.