Germany: World’s 1st mobile quantum computer for defense to launch by 2027

Germany’s cybersecurity agency, Agentur Cyberagentur, has granted contracts to four companies—Quantum Brilliance, ParityQC, Oxford Ionics, and neQxt—to create the world’s first mobile quantum computer by 2027.

The project, valued at $39 million (35 million Euros), is the largest research grant ever awarded by the agency. The quantum computer is designed for use in defense, security, and civilian applications, with a focus on portability and real-time performance in various environments.

The participating companies bring specialized expertise to the program, including miniaturized quantum chips, scalable quantum architecture, and portable quantum systems. Their combined efforts are expected to make quantum computing technology more accessible and secure.

Miniaturized quantum chips and scalable architecture

Quantum Brilliance, known for its expertise in miniaturized, room-temperature quantum chips, plays a crucial role in this initiative. The company’s quantum chips use nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in synthetic diamonds as qubits, enabling them to function without the need for extreme cooling systems.

These chips are also compatible with traditional semiconductors, which simplifies the integration of quantum technology into existing systems.

“We’re excited to work with our partners at ParityQC, and we thank the Cyberagentur for its commitment to innovation,” said Mark Luo, co-founder and CEO of Quantum Brilliance . “The potential of a quantum mobile computer is enormous for defense and cybersecurity in Germany and allied nations, and we believe our technology is the perfect fit for fulfilling the goals of this project.”

On the other hand, ParityQC is focusing on developing ParityOS, a scalable quantum architecture and operating system that promises to handle larger algorithms more efficiently and with fewer errors. The company’s innovative approach ensures that mobile quantum computers can process complex data in real-time, even in remote locations.

“We believe that the partnership with Quantum Brilliance puts us on a path to developing the world’s first mobile quantum computer,” stated Wolfgang Lechner and Magdalena Hauser, co-CEOs of ParityQC. The architecture they are working on could be key to ensuring that these devices perform effectively in critical scenarios like battlefield simulations or troop movement optimization.

Portable quantum solutions for defense and beyond

Oxford Ionics is contributing its cutting-edge electronic qubit control technology to the project. Unlike conventional methods that use lasers, Oxford Ionics relies on electronics to control qubits. This innovation enables the company to produce highly reliable quantum chips that can be manufactured using current semiconductor technology.

Oxford Ionics is working on a portable quantum computer known as MinIon, which is small enough to fit on a thumbnail-sized chip but powerful enough to meet the demanding needs of national security and defense.

“This approach has yielded both the highest performing chips in the world and a robust technology that can deliver industry-leading performance within a small physical footprint based on customer needs,” said Dr. Chris Ballance, co-founder and CEO of Oxford Ionics, in the press release.

Meanwhile, neQxt, a German startup,  is incorporating trapped-ion technology that the firm has been developing into a mobile, modular, and scalable structure with the name MaQue. With the help of this system, defense and national security will be able to optimise and perform simulations in real time, thus not requiring large cloud-based data centres.

This tool is meant to offer reliable computing in areas that are potentially insecure and quite often very distant such as a battlefield. It could be used for purpose of mimicking chemical or biological hazards, processing large volumes of data pertaining to the battleground and fine tuning the military activities.

Broader applications of mobile quantum computing

Although the focus is on the defense and security sectors, the technology being created here could have a tremendously broad range of applications including the finance sector, supply chain, or scientific research.

Quantum Brilliance’s Chief Revenue Officer, Mark Mattingley-Scott, emphasized the broader impact of this project. “Mobile quantum technology will enable powerful computations in environments not possible with classical computers,” he explained in the press release.

“The technology will not only enhance defense and cybersecurity but will eventually benefit applications in scientific research, supply chain management, finance, and more.”

The mobile quantum computer , once developed, would revolutionize industries by providing on-site, real-time quantum computing power. Unlike traditional quantum systems, which rely on cloud-based data centers, this portable technology would offer enhanced security and faster data processing, making it an invaluable tool for high-stakes environments.

Germany’s Cyberagentur is hosting an event to showcase the winning bids, where representatives from Quantum Brilliance, ParityQC, Oxford Ionics, and neQxt will present their unique development approaches.