The Pentagon’s Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is preparing to initiate a new programme aimed at developing advanced quantum sensors that can be seamlessly integrated into U.S. military platforms. According to a special notice recently published, this initiative is known as Robust Quantum Sensors (RoQS) and is motivated by the potential for quantum sensors to significantly enhance positioning, navigation and timing (PNT), as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.
The notice highlights a series of challenges the military encounters when deploying quantum sensors on moving platforms, including interference from electrical and magnetic fields, field gradients, and system vibrations. DARPA's RoQS programme is designed to tackle these issues by exploring innovative physical approaches to quantum sensing. The goal is to create quantum sensors that maintain performance even when placed on dynamic platforms, and to demonstrate these capabilities using government-provided hardware.
The development and implementation of quantum technology are being closely monitored by Pentagon officials, who believe it can lead to substantial real-world applications. A recent Congressional Research Service report elaborates on the principles driving quantum technology, such as superposition and entanglement, which define how quantum systems operate in complex states and interactions.
John Burke, principal director for quantum science in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, noted at a technology summit hosted by Defence One that sensing technologies derived from quantum innovations are currently regarded as the most developed for immediate use by the Pentagon. Burke indicated that these capabilities could serve as a viable alternative to the Global Positioning System (GPS), particularly in scenarios where GPS signals may be subject to jamming or spoofing.
“You’ve probably heard about jamming and spoofing concerns, for example. So we’re busily working on other quantum technologies to input positioning and timing at the edge of the warfighter so that they don’t rely on GPS all the time,” Burke explained. He added that approximately $100 million is allocated for research in these technologies in 2024, emphasising a robust commitment to quantum advancements.
DARPA’s Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) programme has been instrumental in procuring a new generation of atomic clocks for strategic military assets. The forthcoming improvements in quantum technology, according to Burke, are being actively rolled out.
The benefits of successfully deploying quantum sensors extend to enhanced detection of adversarial threats, including submarines, underground structures, nuclear materials, and electromagnetic emissions, factors vital in identifying hidden objects and enemy forces. Burke elaborated on the potential applications for ISR, stating that remote sensing technologies such as magnetometers could be employed to locate magnetic entities, emphasising their importance in military operations.
Despite the current challenges, such as the high expense associated with quantum technologies, Burke remains optimistic about their applications in strategic missions within the military. He stated, “We have these things called magnetometers you can put in systems for like this thing called magnetic navigation. It’s extremely robust. We’re really excited about that."
DARPA's trajectory appears to be aimed not only at critical military advancements but also at fostering a broader manufacturing base that may eventually extend these quantum technologies into civilian sectors, further showcasing the potential impact of these developments on various industries.
Source: Noah Wire Services