Draper
Draper is an independent nonprofit engineering innovation company with a legacy spanning over 90 years, dedicated to delivering transformative solutions for national security, prosperity, and global challenges. Renowned for its pioneering work in guidance, navigation, and control (GN&C) systems, Draper partners with government, industry, and academia to engineer advanced technologies in space, defense, biotechnology, and electronic systems. The company leverages multidisciplinary expertise, digital engineering, and a collaborative approach to provide field-ready prototypes, mission-critical systems, and innovative research. Draper’s mission is to ensure the nation's security and prosperity by delivering sustainable, cutting-edge solutions that address the toughest problems of today and tomorrow, while fostering an inclusive and diverse workforce. Draper also invests in the next generation of innovators through robust educational programs, including internships, co-ops, and the Draper Scholars Program, integrating academic research with real-world problem-solving.
Draper
555 Technology Square, Cambridge, MA 02139
Patents
Highly deformable porous membrane culture system and actuation methods for studying the effects of biomechanical stretch on cultured tissue
2025-07-15 • US-12359155-B2
View DetailsOptimizing space and time of operations for register configurations
2025-06-24 • US-12339772-B1
View DetailsWhat We Do
A specialized tool for enhancing situational awareness for military and first responder personnel. Draper contributed to the initial development of ATAK for Android, WinTak for Windows, and WebTAK, providing real-time intelligence and operational awareness.
An integrated system using ATAK, CBRN Plug-in, and augmented reality to create immersive training and operational environments for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear operations.
A navigation algorithm for autonomous vehicles in GPS-denied environments, fusing inertial and aiding sensor data for accurate attitude, velocity, and position estimation. Used in UAVs, legged robots, and AR systems.
An autonomous unmanned system for CBRN reconnaissance, using teams of robots and drones with multiple sensors to detect hazards and provide situational awareness in modern battlespaces. Supported by a $26M DoD contract.
A high-throughput microfluidic platform with 96 bi-layer tissue culture units for drug and medical countermeasure evaluation, featuring real-time sensing and dynamic flow control. Used for modeling human tissue response to CBRNE threats and infectious diseases.
A microfluidic blood oxygenator that mimics human vasculature for ECMO therapy, offering stable performance and reduced thrombosis. Suitable for pediatric use and represents a step toward anticoagulant-free operation.
Application Area
Show More (6)Battlefield Resuscitation
Psychological and Cognitive Health and Performance
Diagnostics
Digital Health Technologies
Show More (4)Drugs
Key People
President and CEO
Vice President & General Manager, Navy Strategic Systems
Operations Mission Assurance Division Leader
Vice President, Supply Chain
Chief Security Officer and Chief Information Officer
Principal Director, Administration
News & Updates
Draper received a Best Paper Award for its research on comparative binary analysis and visualization, highlighting its leadership in advanced analytics.
Draper, as part of the 2-Photon Optical Clock Collaboration, received the Optical Society’s 2020 Paul F. Forman Team Engineering Excellence Award for developing a miniaturized optical atomic clock architecture leveraging microfabricated photonic components, enabling next-generation timing, navigation, and communication applications.
An article exploring Draper's use of advanced AI for flexible automatic target recognition systems.
An article highlighting Draper's contributions to lunar landing technology and the NASA CP-12 Award.
An article about Draper's advancements in space propulsion and navigation.
An article addressing Draper's work on spatial disorientation in pilots.
A feature on Hemera, Draper's detection software that augments LiDAR systems for robust performance in adverse weather, developed through rapid prototyping and interdisciplinary innovation.
A feature on Draper's participation in NASA’s NEEMO 23 mission, where Draper technologies such as a wearable astronaut tracking system and lunar landing simulator are tested in extreme environments to prepare for space deployment.
A spotlight on Draper's commitment to diversity and inclusion, featuring a predominantly female engineering team advancing RF sensing and signal processing for national security.
An article in Centauri Dreams discussing Draper's work on TFINER, a propulsion technology leveraging nuclear decay for advanced space missions.
Signal Magazine covers Draper's advancements in integrated systems and technologies for modeling human response to biothreats.
NASA.gov features Draper's contributions to new landing technologies for challenging terrain.
NASA.gov highlights Draper's DMEN technology and its flight testing for vision-aided navigation.
TechBuzz.news reports on Draper and Utah breaking ground on the future of national defense at Hill Air Force Base.
WashingtonExec interviews Jennifer Doherty on Draper's approach to security and innovation.
Signal Magazine features a Q&A with Marjorie Quant, Draper's Chief Operating Officer.
The Crimson covers Draper's upcoming lunar mission to the far side of the Moon.
UMass Lowell Magazine discusses the partnership between UML and Draper for driving innovation.
Nature Research Intelligence features Draper's work on microfluidic artificial lung technologies.
Space News reports on SpaceX's upcoming launch of two new Moon landers, including Draper's involvement.
WiredGorilla explores the Apollo Guidance Computer, a historic Draper innovation.
Draper Museum opens a new exhibit highlighting innovations in biomedical engineering, showcasing the company's legacy in national security and space exploration.
Draper joins the Intel Foundry Chiplet Alliance to support the development of interoperable and secure chiplet solutions.
Draper successfully completes pre-production testing of its celestial navigation system for aircraft, advancing navigation technology.
Kevin Duda of Draper joins a National Academies panel supporting the committee prioritizing key non-polar destinations across the Moon with human explorers.
Draper employees and a team are nominated for the RNASA Stellar Awards, recognizing excellence in aerospace achievement.
Draper supports the FDA's initiative to reduce reliance on animal testing, aligning with advancements in biomedical technology.
Draper begins construction on a new facility at Hill Air Force Base, expanding its operational capabilities.
Draper is recognized with a Best Paper Award for research in comparative binary analysis and visualization.
Draper receives a BARDA award to study filovirus infection, furthering research in infectious diseases.
Draper will attend the 2025 Space & Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, AL, with a booth in the exhibit hall.
Draper is an event sponsor and will present multiple technical papers at the 2025 AAS/AIAA Astrodynamics Specialist Conference in Boston, MA.
Draper's strategy team will be in attendance at the NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference & Exhibition in Washington, DC.