Department of War announces $350M in quantum computing initiatives

The US Department of War has announced new initiatives and programmatic updates totaling approximately USD 350 million to advance US quantum computing capabilities that support national security.

“Dominance in quantum information science is a critical priority for both President Trump and the Department of War,” said Emil Michael, Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (R&E). “Maintaining American leadership in this field is essential to preserving our technological edge, and R&E is uniquely positioned to drive the innovation needed across academia and industry.” 

R&E will direct greater attention across the Department of War’s innovation ecosystem toward identifying mission-relevant applications of quantum computing, particularly as sufficiently capable quantum computers become available. R&E expects that quantum-enabled applications in disciplines such as chemistry, materials science, and physics will enable the development of next-generation weapons, platforms, and other critical capabilities that are more lethal, cost-effective, and manufacturable, the US Department of War said in a press release.

This new effort will build on existing Department of War programs and complement related national initiatives led by the Department of Energy (DOE), particularly its recently announced Quantum Genesis Priority Applications and the Quantum Genesis Q Competition, as well as initiatives led by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).