The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency is seeking to develop a way to connect fundamentally different quantum computing technologies, anticipating that meeting future mission needs will require a hybrid approach rather than relying on a single type of quantum bit, Breaking Defense reported Tuesday.
Delve into quantum’s uses in defense at Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Defense R&D Summit on Jan. 29! Hear from Pentagon Chief Technology Officer Emil Michael in his keynote address and attend the “Securing the Quantum Edge: Advancing U.S. Leadership as a National Security Imperative” panel. Register now!
What Does the HARQ Program Aim to Develop?
DARPA has launched the Heterogeneous Architectures for Quantum, or HARQ, program to develop hardware and software that allow different types of qubits to work together in a single system. Multiple awards of up to $2 million each are expected to be announced around Feb. 1.
“What we’re hyper focused on is the interstitial pieces that could link up those systems,” said Justin Cohen, a DARPA program manager, noting that the agency is investing in technologies that are currently missing from corporate road maps.
Why Does DARPA See Limits in Single-Qubit Systems?
Quantum computing developers are pursuing various qubit technologies, including superconducting circuits, trapped ions, neutral atoms and photonic systems. Each approach offers advantages for certain functions — such as processing speed, stability or communication — but also carries tradeoffs.
HARQ is structured around two technical focus areas. One track targets compiler tools that can assign quantum operations to the most suitable qubit types. A second track focuses on high-fidelity, high-speed quantum interconnect components, that can reliably transfer quantum information between dissimilar qubits.
By enabling different types of qubits to work together in a single device, Cohen believes the industry can move toward a more specialized and collaborative model.
