Johns Hopkins APL’s Watkins Receives NDIA’s 2026 Vice Adm. Charles E. Weakley Award

A Pint of Hope: Developing a Shelf-Stable Blood Substitute

News May 7, 2026 A Pint of Hope: Developing a Shelf-Stable Blood Substitute Johns Hopkins APL researchers are investigating the viability and scalability of shelf-stable, freeze-dried red blood cells. With far-reaching implications for trauma care in remote or austere environments — a critical need for the nation’s warfighters — this effort opens the door to safe and effective blood transfusions anywhere, anytime, and with minimal supplies. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/HEART [https://jhuapl.link/HEART]

Novel Coating Technology Withstands Extreme Combustion Environments

Scientists at Johns Hopkins APL successfully tested an innovative chemical destruction system known as the Pulse Combustion Engine. Critical to the successful test were the development and application of novel coatings to protect the system while it operates. This breakthrough marks a significant milestone in the development of advanced coatings for extreme environments and has the potential to contribute to a safer, more agile way to neutralize hazardous chemicals. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/703 [https://jhuapl.link/703]

Johns Hopkins APL’s Watkins Receives NDIA’s 2026 Vice Adm. Charles E. Weakley Award

Christopher Watkins, chief mission engineering and integration officer at APL, received the 2026 Vice Admiral Charles E. Weakley Award from NDIA’s Undersea Warfare Division in recognition of his sustained leadership in strengthening collaboration across government and industry to advance undersea warfare capabilities. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/858

Johns Hopkins APL Contributions Fuel Critical Navy Cybersecurity System

A Navy-engineered cybersecurity system infused with APL innovation, called Situational Awareness, Boundary Enforcement, and Response (SABER), has become a key line of security in protecting Navy ships against cyberattacks. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/503

APL Develops In-House, Mission-Relevant LLM Training Capabilities

A team at APL has developed the capability to build a large language model from the ground up, positioning the Laboratory to support its government partners in developing custom LLMs and adapting existing ones for mission applications. Read the full article: https://jhuapl.link/9a8 [https://jhuapl.link/9a8]