- The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory is aligning its quantum research efforts to Executive Order 14413, which aims to expedite quantum technology development
- The NRL is prioritizing quantum sensing, computing, networking and foundational science and enabling technologies in its expanded efforts
- The navigation and sensing research initiatives are aimed at helping sailors and Marines to operate better in contested environments
The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory announced Friday that it is scaling up its quantum research portfolio as the federal government pushes to accelerate American leadership in quantum information science and technology, or QIST.
The push comes as the White House’s Executive Order 14413, “Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation,” calls on federal agencies to take a whole-of-government approach to speeding up the deployment and commercialization of quantum technologies while safeguarding the country’s technological edge.
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What Are the NRL’s Areas of Focus?
NRL has organized its quantum work into four core areas that mirror the priorities laid out in the executive order: sensing, positioning, navigation and timing; computing; networking; and foundational science and enabling technologies.
In the sensing and navigation space, NRL scientists are developing tools such as atomic clocks, quantum accelerometers, gyroscopes, gravimeters and magnetometers. These devices are intended to give ships, submarines and autonomous systems a way to navigate accurately when GPS is jammed, degraded or unavailable.
On the computing side, NRL is focused on the algorithms and applications the Navy will need once more powerful machines come online. The lab works directly with private quantum hardware developers to test how well its algorithms perform on real systems.
NRL is also involved in quantum networking research through its membership in the Washington Metropolitan Quantum Network Research Consortium, known as DC-QNet, which links federal laboratories over optical fiber to explore secure communications, distributed sensing and future computing architectures.
Underpinning all of this is foundational research into new quantum materials, integrated photonics and scalable device engineering — the building blocks that tomorrow’s quantum systems will depend on, according to Adam Black, director of NRL’s Quantum Science Institute.
How Will NRL’s Quantum Efforts Impact the Navy?
NRL’s quantum work feeds into the Department of War’s Critical Technology Areas, with quantum research falling under the Quantum and Battlefield Information Dominance priority area, one of six categories meant to speed the transition of emerging technologies into fielded capabilities for the military services and combatant commands.
Black said the goal is to give sailors and Marines an edge in contested environments where conventional technology may fall short — whether that means maintaining navigation without GPS, sharpening situational awareness, or better protecting sensitive information.
