IonQ, a Maryland-based quantum computing company, has announced a new $25.5 million partnership with the United States Air Force Research Lab, or AFRL. This deal aims to advance quantum communications, networking and computing. IonQ will also continue its progress from conducting basic research to supporting agency missions.
As part of the partnership, the AFRL will deploy two barium-based trapped ion quantum computing systems for quantum networking research and application development at its location in Rome, New York. The expanded relationship builds upon a previous agreement between IonQ and AFRL to provide access to IonQ’s trapped ion systems and enhance AFRL’s research mission.
This announcement follows achievements for IonQ including achieving $28 million in bookings and securing a contract with QuantumBasel, a Swiss quantum tech company, to establish a European quantum data center.