IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) has expanded the company’s relationship with the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) to deploy two barium-based trapped, ion quantum computing systems for quantum networking R&D.
The deal comes one year after IonQ announced an agreement with AFRL to provide access to the company’s trapped ion systems and will further enhance AFRL’s research mission. As part of the contract, IonQ will deliver and set up systems at AFRL’s location in Rome, New York.
This announcement follows an upswing of activity by the U.S. federal government supporting development of quantum technology, including Congress’ 2018 creation of the National Quantum Initiative (NQI), a broad, interagency program that secured funding for quantum research and development.
In the second quarter of 2023, IonQ achieved a record-setting $28 million in bookings. The deal also comes on the heels of a contract IonQ signed with Switzerland-based QuantumBasel to establish a European, quantum data center.
“AFRL is seeing incredible achievements on trapped ion quantum systems to enable and grow U.S. quantum technology, the innovation occurring on the front lines by industry will bring revolutionary technologies to our warfighters.” — Michael Hayduk, Deputy Director, Information DIrectorate, Air Force Research Laboratory
“As IonQ’s systems approach 64 algorithmic qubits (#AQ 64) and usher in the era of enterprise-grade, quantum computing, we are committed to supporting the nation’s security interests. This partnership will significantly help advance U.S. defense technologies as quantum computers increasingly become a prevalent centerpiece of national computing stacks. This agreement with AFRL will advance quantum communications, networking, and computing, while continuing our progress from basic research to directly supporting agency missions.” — Peter Chapman, CEO, IonQ