Applied Physics Laboratory

For other uses, see APL (disambiguation).

Applied Physics Laboratory
Established1942
Research typeUnclassified / classified
Budget$2.09 billion[1]
DirectorDr. Ralph Semmel
Staff8,800[2]
LocationLaurel, Maryland, U.S.
Operating agency
Johns Hopkins University
Websitewww.jhuapl.edu

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (or simply Applied Physics Laboratory, or APL) is a not-for-profit university-affiliated research center (UARC) in Howard County, Maryland. It is affiliated with Johns Hopkins University and employs 8,700 people as of 2024.[2] APL is the nation's largest UARC.[3]

The lab serves as a technical resource for the Department of Defense, NASA, and other government agencies. APL has developed numerous systems and technologies in the areas of air and missile defense, surface and undersea naval warfare, computer security, and space science and spacecraft construction.[4] While APL provides research and engineering services to the government, it is not a traditional defense contractor, as it is a UARC and a division of Johns Hopkins University. APL is a scientific and engineering research and development division, rather than an academic division, of Johns Hopkins.

Hopkins' Whiting School of Engineering offers part-time graduate programs for Lab staff members through its Engineering for Professionals program. Courses are taught at seven locations in the Baltimore-Washington Metropolitan Area, including the APL Education Center.[5]

  1. ^ "2022 Annual Report" (PDF). Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "About APL". Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Retrieved September 4, 2024.
  3. ^ Hogan, Governor Larry (October 20, 2021). "Gov. Hogan Celebrates Grand Opening Of New Research Facility At Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory". The BayNet. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  4. ^ "About APL". Archived from the original on January 20, 2016. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  5. ^ "APL Education Center". Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Archived from the original on April 20, 2013. Retrieved October 15, 2008.