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Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory Snapshot
For more than 80 years, the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory has provided critical contributions to critical challenges with systems engineering and integration, technology research and development and analysis. The Lab's 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. APL maintains independent research and development programs that pioneer and explore emerging technologies and concepts to address future national priorities.
Founded on March 10, 1942 — just three months after the United States entered World War II — APL was created as part of a federal government effort to mobilize scientific resources to address wartime challenges.
APL was assigned the task of finding a more effective way for ships to defend themselves against enemy air attacks. The Laboratory designed, built, and tested a radar proximity fuze (known as the VT fuze) that significantly increased the effectiveness of anti-aircraft shells in the Pacific — and, later, ground artillery during the invasion of Europe. The product of the Laboratory’s intense development effort was later judged to be, along with the atomic bomb and radar, one of the three most valuable technology developments of the war.
On the basis of that successful collaboration, the government, Johns Hopkins University, and APL made a commitment to continue their strategic relationship. The Laboratory rapidly became a major contributor to advances in guided missiles and submarine technologies. Today, more than eight decades later, the Laboratory’s numerous and diverse achievements continue to strengthen our nation.
APL continues to relentlessly pursue the mission it has followed since its first day: to make critical contributions to critical challenges for our nation.
APL was assigned the task of finding a more effective way for ships to defend themselves against enemy air attacks. The Laboratory designed, built, and tested a radar proximity fuze (known as the VT fuze) that significantly increased the effectiveness of anti-aircraft shells in the Pacific — and, later, ground artillery during the invasion of Europe. The product of the Laboratory’s intense development effort was later judged to be, along with the atomic bomb and radar, one of the three most valuable technology developments of the war.
On the basis of that successful collaboration, the government, Johns Hopkins University, and APL made a commitment to continue their strategic relationship. The Laboratory rapidly became a major contributor to advances in guided missiles and submarine technologies. Today, more than eight decades later, the Laboratory’s numerous and diverse achievements continue to strengthen our nation.
APL continues to relentlessly pursue the mission it has followed since its first day: to make critical contributions to critical challenges for our nation.
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