On August 6, IonQ announced that it has won a contract through a competitive solicitation with the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS) to design a first-of-its-kind, networked quantum computing system for the Department of Defense (DOD).
Future phases of the project, which have yet to be awarded, include the construction, delivery, and maintenance of these systems. Through this project, ARLIS will conduct hands-on research into the cybersecurity of multi-party quantum computation, including blind quantum computing protocols – a process where quantum computers remain ‘blind’ to what information is being processed through them. This effort is funded by an award from the Secretary of the Air Force Concepts, Development, and Management Office.
ARLIS is the Department of Defense’s principal university-affiliated research center (UARC) for intelligence and security, and this contract extends the reach of IonQ technology to yet another U.S. federal agency. The federal government is focused on shaping the U.S. into an internationally recognized leader in quantum computing. Agencies like the U.S. Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) have previously announced deals with IonQ to use the company’s systems for quantum networking research and application development.
“Delivering a first-of-its-kind, blind quantum computing system will enable ARLIS to test and validate communications for the DOD,” said Peter Chapman, president and CEO, IonQ. ”Through our collaboration with ARLIS and UMD teams, we look forward to each phase of development, construction, and deployment as we anticipate significant breakthroughs in the development of blind quantum computing protocols.”
Source: IonQ
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