IonQ awarded quantum computing contract with ARLIS, first phase valued at $5.7M

IonQ announced that it has won a contract through a competitive solicitation with the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security, or ARLIS, to design a first-of-its-kind, networked quantum computing system for the Department of Defense and U.S. Intelligence Community. The first phase of the project – awarded at $5.7M – will focus on the design phase of the quantum system. 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. “With the rapid advancement of technologies like quantum and AI, we as a nation must maintain our leadership position in these developing fields while also hardening our security tools against global actors like China and Russia,” said Rep. C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger. “I am pleased to have secured $40M to support this project to bring IonQ‘s quantum systems to the ARLIS facility, and it’s exciting to see the first phase of this project underway, which will guide the DoD’s strategy for securing the quantum space.”