Quantum infrastructure software company Q-CTRL announced a partnership with Australia’s Department of Defence to develop sensors that will deliver quantum enhanced positioning and navigation capability for military platforms.
Quantum sensors use atomic physics to detect small changes in the Earth’s gravitational field, reducing the reliance on GPS for navigation. Q-CTRL states that 'quantum-enhanced navigation will deliver the ability for vehicles to position accurately over long periods when GPS is unavailable or untrustworthy.'
Q-CTRL announced its quantum sensing division in 2022, led by Dr Russell Anderson and focused on realising a new generation of software-defined quantum sensors. The team has previously worked with partners including Advanced Navigation and the Australian Army to demonstrate and deliver this technology for applications including remote drone detection.
Fielding quantum navigation on defence platforms is enabled by 'proprietary hardware design' and 'software-ruggedisation that boosts performance in the field'. Q-CTRL uses AI-enhanced infrastructure software to improve quantum hardware operation.
“We’ve shown we can boost the performance of quantum computers and quantum sensors by orders of magnitude - entirely through software. Now we’re pleased to be applying these capabilities to a critical defence mission for Australia,” Q-CTRL CEO and Founder Prof. Michael J. Biercuk stated.
Interim Head of the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator, Professor Emily Hilder, said the collaboration with Q-CTRL was significant for delivering quantum-enhanced navigation.
“Defence recognises that quantum sensing has the potential to fundamentally transform Defence capability. Partnerships of this kind demonstrate our capacity to translate innovative concepts into capability, delivered by a world-class Australian deep-tech company.”
The company’s newest contract supports the first of a multi-year effort to field-deploy miniaturised systems on defence platforms. It represents one of the first international partnerships between government and the private sector to apply quantum technology in defence settings.