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Research lab · United States

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

HQ Laurel

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory is a Navy-sponsored University Affiliated Research Center operated by Johns Hopkins University.

Research labAir and missile defenseCommand, control and communications+2
Website
Prime obligations
$24.78B
Since FY2008
Prime awards
6,371
Every award since FY2008
Capabilities
4

About Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

APL’s official structure includes Air and Missile Defense, Asymmetric Operations, Force Projection, and Space Exploration sectors. Its main campus is in Laurel, Maryland, and it maintains a Lexington Park Field Office that supports Naval Air Systems Command sponsors. An authoritative standalone FY2025 laboratory-wide budget was not located in the reviewed material.

Institution
UARC
Sponsor
U.S. Navy
Operator
The Johns Hopkins University (APL is its research division)

Federal Prime Contracts$24.78B obligated · FY2008–FY2027

Explore in Awards →
Obligated
$24.78B
FY2008–FY2027
Contract actions
34,046
6,371 awards
Peak year
FY2025
$2.36B
Top buyer
U.S. Navy
47% of obligations
Obligations by fiscal yearLast 5 full years avg $1.89BFaded: FY2026 so far; DoD publishes actions about 90 days late.
FY2008: $661M · 1,237 actionsFY2009: $822M · 1,255 actionsFY2010: $950M · 1,301 actionsFY2011: $962M · 1,446 actionsFY2012: $889M · 1,523 actionsFY2013: $862M · 1,441 actionsFY2014: $973M · 1,549 actionsFY2015: $975M · 1,663 actionsFY2016: $1.14B · 1,744 actionsFY2017: $1.05B · 1,965 actionsFY2018: $1.19B · 1,953 actionsFY2019: $1.26B · 1,843 actionsFY2020: $1.49B · 1,973 actionsFY2021: $1.51B · 2,153 actionsFY2022: $1.60B · 2,378 actionsFY2023: $1.99B · 2,158 actionsFY2024: $2.01B · 2,277 actionsFY2025: $2.36B · 2,442 actionsFY2026 (to date): $2.09B · 1,744 actions
’08’12’16’20’24’26
Show as table
Obligations by fiscal year
Fiscal yearObligatedActionsAwards
FY2026 (to date)$2.09B1,744853
FY2025$2.36B2,4421,072
FY2024$2.01B2,2771,078
FY2023$1.99B2,1581,057
FY2022$1.60B2,3781,125
FY2021$1.51B2,153969
FY2020$1.49B1,973899
FY2019$1.26B1,843884
FY2018$1.19B1,953883
FY2017$1.05B1,965862
FY2016$1.14B1,744764
FY2015$975M1,663761
FY2014$973M1,549813
FY2013$862M1,441741
FY2012$889M1,523729
FY2011$962M1,446638
FY2010$950M1,301656
FY2009$822M1,255573
FY2008$661M1,237506

Top buyers

  1. U.S. Navy$11.62B 47%
  2. NASA$4.73B 19%
  3. Missile Defense Agency$2.56B 10%
  4. U.S. Air Force$1.61B 6.5%
  5. Washington Headquarters Services$1.42B 5.7%
  6. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency$1.21B 4.9%
  7. U.S. Army$365M 1.5%
  8. U.S. Special Operations Command$326M 1.3%
  9. U.S. Customs and Border Protection$253M 1.0%
  10. U.S. Cyber Command$126M 0.5%
  11. Office of Procurement Operations$119M 0.5%
  12. Immediate Office of the Secretary of Defense$106M 0.4%
  13. All other$339M 1.4%

Defense programs

  1. MDA SUPPORT$2.51B 10%
  2. SPACE C2$53.5M 0.2%
  3. IAMD$44.7M 0.2%
  4. 2000$4.8M 0.0%
  5. GEOMAP$4.3M 0.0%
  6. MC2S MOD - BLOCK 05$3.6M 0.0%
  7. MQ-9 Reaper$1.1M 0.0%
  8. ABRAMS M1A2 SEPV4$1K 0.0%
  9. 3000−$581.2 -0.0%
  10. F/A-18E/F Super Hornet−$11K -0.0%
  11. 2SEA−$13K -0.0%
  12. DERP−$24K -0.0%
  13. 1000−$263K -0.0%

Only actions coded to a DoD acquisition program.

What they sell (PSC)

  1. R&D- Other Research and Development (Engineering Development)$3.92B 16%
  2. National Defense R&D Services; Defense-Related Activities; Applied Research$3.71B 15%
  3. R&D- Defense Other: Services (Engineering Development)$2.59B 10%
  4. R&D- Space: Science/Applications (Basic Research)$2.57B 10%
  5. Space R&D Services; Space Flight, Research and Supporting Activities; Basic Research$2.22B 9.0%
  6. National Defense R&D Services; Atomic Energy Defense Activities; Experimental Development$1.51B 6.1%
  7. Special Studies/Analysis- Defense$1.27B 5.1%
  8. National Defense R&D Services; Atomic Energy Defense Activities; Applied Research$1.20B 4.9%
  9. National Defense R&D Services; Department of Defense - Military; Basic Research$765M 3.1%
  10. Support- Professional: Engineering/Technical$648M 2.6%
  11. R&D- Defense Other: Other (Advanced Development)$457M 1.8%
  12. R&D- Defense Other: Other (Applied Research/Exploratory Development)$383M 1.5%
  13. Support- Professional: Other$369M 1.5%
  14. National Defense R&D Services; Department of Defense - Military; Experimental Development$298M 1.2%
  15. R&D- Defense Other: Services (Applied Research/Exploratory Development)$245M 1.0%
  16. All other$2.64B 11%

Industry (NAICS)

  1. Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (Except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)$8.49B 34%
  2. Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (Except Biotechnology)$7.72B 31%
  3. Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences$5.60B 23%
  4. All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$1.51B 6.1%
  5. Engineering Services$571M 2.3%
  6. Architectural Services$244M 1.0%
  7. Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services$238M 1.0%
  8. Other Computer Related Services$126M 0.5%
  9. Research and Development in Biotechnology (Except Nanobiotechnology)$80.9M 0.3%
  10. Computer Systems Design Services$68.2M 0.3%
  11. All other$128M 0.5%

Where the work is done

  1. Maryland$24.06B 97%
  2. Virginia$329M 1.3%
  3. District of Columbia$210M 0.8%
  4. Alabama$38.0M 0.2%
  5. Pennsylvania$35.6M 0.1%
  6. Florida$30.3M 0.1%
  7. Nebraska$27.3M 0.1%
  8. Georgia$15.0M 0.1%
  9. California$13.6M 0.1%
  10. Texas$10.8M 0.0%
  11. Colorado$4.3M 0.0%
  12. Utah$4.3M 0.0%
  13. New Mexico$3.3M 0.0%
  14. Outside the US$2.9M 0.0%
  15. Kentucky$1.2M 0.0%
  16. All other$1.6M 0.0%

Contract pricing

  1. Cost Plus Fixed Fee$24.62B 99%
  2. Cost No Fee$51.8M 0.2%
  3. Cost Plus Award Fee$47.7M 0.2%
  4. Firm Fixed Price$36.5M 0.1%
  5. Combination (Applies to Awards Where Two or More of the Above Apply)$12.8M 0.1%
  6. Cost Plus Incentive Fee$6.4M 0.0%
  7. Other (Applies to Awards Where None of the Above Apply)$3.1M 0.0%
  8. Labor Hours$2.6M 0.0%
  9. All other$173K 0.0%

Competition

  1. Not Competed$23.96B 97%
  2. Full and Open Competition$498M 2.0%
  3. Not Available for Competition$221M 0.9%
  4. Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources$95.5M 0.4%
  5. Not Competed Under SAP$12.8M 0.1%
  6. Competed Under SAP$484K 0.0%

Largest awards10

  • Dragonfly Extended Phase B Mission Under 80MSFC20D0004 Aerospace Research, Development and Engineering Support (Ardes) II.NASA · USAspending ↗
    $1.34BMar 2, 2022
  • Solar Probe Plus (Spp) Phase A Activities the Contractor Shall Perform the Work That Is Designated in Task Orders Issued by the Contracting Officer. the Overall Scope of Work to Be Performed Will Support All of Nasa's Mission Directorates. These Efforts Can Be Characterized As Aerospace Research, Development, and Engineering Support (Ardes). the General Nature of the Tasks to Be Developed Will Be to Conduct Supporting Research and Advanced Technology Development Designed to Make Contributions to Space Science and Space Exploration and Assist NASA in the Formulation and Execution of Its Programs by Providing NASA with Technical Advice, Studies, and Reports of Investigations. Efforts Undertaken by the Contractor, in the Performance of the Assigned Tasks, Which Include Technology Transfer, Partnering and Commercialization Activities, Shall Seek to Enhance the Value and Contribution of Technology to the Nation S Technological Competitiveness, Prosperity, Quality of Life, and Other National Priorities. Individual Task Orders Will Fall Within One of Two Broad Categories: 1) Essential Research Capability of Space Systems Engineering, and Related Work in the Supporting Essential Research Capabilities of Systems Test and Evaluation, Information Technology, and Simulation, Modeling and Operations Analysis. Task Orders Within the Category of Essential Research Capabilities Are Intended to Preserve the Nation S Capabilities to Perform Robotic Space Missions Over the Full Mission Life Cycle From Concept Formulation Through Mission Operations and Data Analysis. NASA Is Contracting for Support in Several Key Research, Engineering and Development Competencies That Are Fundamental to the Performance of These Missions. 2) Other Aerospace Research, Development, and Engineering Support. Task Orders Within the Category of Other Aerospace Research, Development and Engineering Support Are Intended to Include A Broad Base of Scientific and Technical Capabilities Relevant to NASA Program Responsibilities and Assignments. Regardless of Category, Task Orders May Be Issued Related to Autonomous Deep-space and Earth-orbiting Spacecraft or Major Subsystems, Experiments, Instruments or Other Devices That May Be Carried As Payloads on the Space Shuttle or on Other Spacecraft. Task Assignments Will Explicitly Describe A Broad Range of Hardware, Software, Systems Engineering, Scientific Analysis, and Management Efforts Including Program and Project Management and Administration.NASA · USAspending ↗
    $895MMay 14, 2010
  • Sun Earth Connection Living with A Star Program Letter ContractNASA · USAspending ↗
    $453MDec 19, 2007
  • Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (Imap) Phase CdNASA · USAspending ↗
    $400MJul 21, 2021
  • Power Projection 2: Provide Assessments and Alternatives of Offensive Capabilities Within Above Domains, Missions and Warfare AreasWashington Headquarters Services · USAspending ↗
    $398MJun 3, 2019
  • Aerospace Research, Design, and Development Tasks for NASANASA · USAspending ↗
    $356MJun 6, 2008
  • Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Will Support the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering with This Power Projection 3 Task Order to Establish and Maintain Essential Research and Engineering Expertise.Washington Headquarters Services · USAspending ↗
    $347MJun 30, 2022
  • DARPA Research Program Support ServicesDefense Advanced Research Projects Agency · USAspending ↗
    $231MJan 14, 2025
  • IGF::CL::IGF Asteriod Impact and Deflection Assessment (Aida) - Double Asteriod Redirection Test (Dart) Phase A Study the Contractor Shall Perform the Work That Is Designated in Task Orders Issued by the Contracting Officer. the Overall Scope of Work to Be Performed Will Support All of Nasa's Mission Directorates. These Efforts Can Be Characterized As Aerospace Research, Development, and Engineering Support (Ardes). the General Nature of the Tasks to Be Developed Will Be to Conduct Supporting Research and Advanced Technology Development Designed to Make Contributions to Space Science and Space Exploration and Assist NASA in the Formulation and Execution of Its Programs by Providing NASA with Technical Advice, Studies, and Reports of Investigations. Efforts Undertaken by the Contractor, in the Performance of the Assigned Tasks, Which Include Technology Transfer, Partnering and Commercialization Activities, Shall Seek to Enhance the Value and Contribution of Technology to the Nation Is Technological Competitiveness, Prosperity, Quality of Life, and Other National Priorities. Individual Task Orders Will Fall Within One of Two Broad Categories: 1) Essential Research Capability of Space Systems Engineering, and Related Work in the Supporting Essential Research Capabilities of Systems Test and Evaluation, Information Technology, and Simulation, Modeling and Operations Analysis. Task Orders Within the Category of Essential Research Capabilities Are Intended to Preserve the Nation Is Capabilities to Perform Robotic Space Missions Over the Full Mission Life Cycle From Concept Formulation Through Mission Operations and Data Analysis. NASA Is Contracting for Support in Several Key Research, Engineering and Development Competencies That Are Fundamental to the Performance of These Missions. 2) Other Aerospace Research, Development, and Engineering Support. Task Orders Within the Category of Other Aerospace Research, Development and Engineering Support Are Intended to Include A Broad Base of Scientific and Technical Capabilities Relevant to NASA Program Responsibilities and Assignments. Regardless of Category, Task Orders May Be Issued Related to Autonomous Deep-space and Earth-orbiting Spacecraft or Major Subsystems, Experiments, Instruments or Other Devices That May Be Carried As Payloads on the Space Shuttle or on Other Spacecraft. Task Assignments Will Explicitly Describe A Broad Range of Hardware, Software, Systems Engineering, Scientific Analysis, and Management Efforts Including Program and Project Management and Administration.NASA · USAspending ↗
    $222MSep 25, 2015
  • Provide Analysis to Include Design, Develop, Integrate, and Test An Aegis Bmd Mission Planner Model Prototype Which Includes the Cerberus Project in Accordance with the Sow, Section J, and Executing the Combat Systems Task Order Tasks. PSC AC23 Expenditure Type 255.0 R&DMissile Defense Agency · MDA SUPPORT · USAspending ↗
    $167MNov 30, 2018

Signed obligations on federal prime contracts (award types A–D) from USAspending, FY2008 through Oct 9, 2026. Obligations are money the government committed, not company revenue, and include de-obligations. Subcontracts and grants are excluded. Matching is by registered UEI.

View all 6,371 awards →

Capabilities4

Maturity and TRL describe this organization's work; the field-wide maturity is on each technology's page.

Supply Chain2 facilities

Facilities2

  • Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory main campus
    Lab · Laurel, United States
    Operating
    The university-affiliated research center’s primary site for its mission and research work. Source ↗
    Confirmed
  • Lexington Park Field Office
    Office · Lexington Park, Maryland, United States
    Operating
    APL field office supporting naval aviation and listed capabilities in guidance, navigation, and command-and-control communications. Source ↗
    Confirmed

Hiring Observations

Official careers and open roles ↗

Use the official careers site for current openings and application requirements.

Sources7

Profile4

  1. 1
    CompanyAPL careers — main campus contact

    Supports Organization · hq city

    “11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, Maryland 20723-6099”
  2. 2
    Government recordFFRDC/UARC | Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering

    U.S. Department of War · Supports Organization · designation and sponsor

    “Applied Physics Laboratory”
  3. 3
    CompanyOur Organization | Johns Hopkins APL

    Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory · Supports Organization · organization mission and description

    “Air and Missile Defense”
  4. 4
    Government recordUSAspending award H9240226FE029 (THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC)

    USAspending.gov · Supports Organization · name

    “Recipient: THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY APPLIED PHYSICS LABORATORY LLC; UEI: C1HBCJ9RMBV3”

Technologies3

  1. 5
    CompanyJohns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

    Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory · Supports Organization · organization description, Organization technology · research capability

    “We solve complex research, engineering, and analytical problems that present critical challenges to our nation.”
  2. 6
    CompanyLocations and Directions | Johns Hopkins APL

    Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory · Supports Facility · documented capability, location, or facility, Facility · documented geography or facility relationship, Facility · facility location, Organization · organization mission and description, Organization technology · documented capability, location, or facility

    “46579 Expedition Drive”
  3. 7
    CompanyTheater Defense Mission Area | Johns Hopkins APL

    Johns Hopkins APL · Supports Organization technology

Government identifiers1

UEI
C1HBCJ9RMBV3
confirmed · Checked Oct 9, 2026
Source ↗

Identifiers are matched to this legal entity; related companies may hold different registrations.

Each fact on this page is attached to the sources that support it. Archived copies are linked when we keep one.