- In a commercial world-first, quantum navigation tech developed
in the UK was successfully tested in flight
- While GPS jamming is relatively rare and does not directly
impact an aircraft’s flight path, quantum systems will provide
another layer of security
- The Government has supported the company running the tests,
Infleqtion, and their partners from across the country with nearly
£8 million as part of its vision to make the UK a leading
quantum-enabled economy
In a first-of-its-kind achievement, the UK has successfully
completed commercial flight trials of advanced quantum-based
navigation systems that cannot be jammed or spoofed by hostile
actors.
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Andrew Griffith, Minister of State
(Minister for Science, Research and Innovation) & Keshav
Thirumalai, Physicist, ColdQuanta/Infleqtion. Photo credit:
QinetiQ
While GPS jamming is currently relatively rare and does not
directly impact an aircraft’s flight path, new quantum-based
Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) systems could, over time,
offer one part of a larger solution to providing highly accurate
and resilient navigation that complements current satellite systems
– which could help ensure that the thousands of flights that take
place around the world daily, proceed without disruption.
Infleqtion, a quantum technology firm, in collaboration with
aerospace companies BAE Systems and QinetiQ, completed the trials
at MoD Boscombe Down in Wiltshire, with Science Minister Andrew
Griffith aboard the final test flight on Thursday 9 May.
These tests are the first time that this sort of ground-breaking
technology has been tested in the UK on an aircraft in flight, and
the first such flights worldwide have been publicly
acknowledged.
Led by Infleqtion and in collaboration with industry and
academic partners, this project has received backing of nearly £8
million from the government. This funding, together with the £2.5
billion National Quantum Strategy and the National Quantum
Technologies Programme, aims to cement the UK's position as a
leading quantum-enabled economy.
Science Minister Andrew Griffith said:
"From passenger flights to shipping, we all depend on navigation
systems that are accurate, safe and secure. The scientific research
we are supporting here could well provide the resilience to protect
our interests.
"The fact that this technology has flown for the first time in
British skies, is further proof of the UK as one of the world
leaders on quantum.”
In a series of test flights, the team led by Infleqtion has
demonstrated two ground-breaking quantum technologies: the compact
Tiqker optical atomic clock and a tightly confined
ultra-cold-atom-based quantum system, both aboard QinetiQ's RJ100
Airborne Technology Demonstrator, a modified aircraft.
The technology being tested on the flight will form part of a
Quantum Inertial Navigation System (Q-INS), which has the potential
to revolutionise PNT, with the system offering exceptional accuracy
and resilience, independent of traditional satellite navigation
using GPS.
PNT helps us know our location, navigate, and keep track of
time. The cornerstone of modern PNT technology is precision clocks.
These ultra-accurate timekeepers are crucial for various
applications, and portable production of ultracold atoms is another
key piece of the puzzle. Ultracold atoms - atoms that have been
cooled to temperatures near absolute zero (the coldest possible
temperature) - are ideal for building quantum accelerometers and
gyroscopes, which form the heart of a Q-INS.
The test is part of a project funded by UK Research and
Innovation (UKRI) specifically focusing on creating quantum sensors
to address the UK's heavy reliance on GNSS/GPS for location,
navigation, and timing data. This dependence creates a
vulnerability, as a single point of failure (like jamming or
spoofing GPS signals) could disrupt critical economic, defence, and
strategic activities.
The consortium working alongside Infleqtion includes Fraunhofer
Centre for Applied Photonics, Alter Technology UK, Caledonian
Photonics, Redwave Labs, PA Consulting, BAE Systems, and
QinetiQ.
Infleqtion UK President, Dr Timothy Ballance, said:
"Our recent trials mark a significant step forward in the
development of quantum PNT solutions. The work we have done
directly addresses the critical need to reduce our reliance on
satellite navigation systems, which are vulnerable to various
risks.
"The successful flight trials demonstrate the potential of
quantum technology in overcoming navigation system challenges,
which is an exciting development for future applications in the
aerospace industry and beyond."
Henry White, Sensing Technology Lead - BAE Systems,
said:
"These trials are an important step forward in developing
quantum technology that could ultimately offer a significant
military advantage. Knowing reliably and precisely when and where
any asset and sensor system are, feeds into additional options for
platform design and capability. This will play a big role in
supporting the development of next generation combat air systems.
Working closely with wider industry and experts now, at the early
stages of the technology development, helps us to shape the
solution in a way that ensures the technology can be integrated for
military applications."
Simon Galt, Managing Director (Air) at QinetiQ, said:
“We’re proud to be partnering with BAE Systems and Infleqtion to
enable the successful trial of this cutting-edge technology,
demonstrating our ability to rapidly and effectively collaborate
across the defence ecosystem, combining our quantum expertise with
our Airborne Technology Demonstrator jet.”
Roger McKinlay, Challenge Director Quantum Technologies at
Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI),
said:
"Modern infrastructure is increasingly dependent on highly
accurate timing and navigation derived from satellite signals.
These flight tests mark the culmination of two excellent projects
which Infleqtion has had the vision to create and the deftness in
leadership to execute with an outstanding team of
collaborators."
The completion of these flight trials marks a significant
milestone towards Mission 4 of the UK's National Quantum Strategy.
By 2030, this mission aims to deploy quantum navigation systems on
aircraft, providing next-generation accuracy and resilience
independent of satellite signals. The successful testing of an
optical atomic clock, Infleqtion's Tiqker, and core elements of a
quantum inertial sensor aboard QinetiQ's RJ100 Airborne Technology
Demonstrator represents a breakthrough in airborne quantum
technology.
About Infleqtion
Infleqtion, with offices in the United States, United Kingdom,
and Australia, delivers high-value quantum information precisely
where it is needed. By operating at the Edge, our
software-configured, quantum-enabled products deliver unmatched
levels of precision and power, generating streams of high-value
information for commercial organizations, the United States, and
allied governments. With 16 years of ColdQuanta's pioneering
quantum research as our foundation, our hardware products and
AI-powered solutions address critical market needs in positioning,
navigating, and timing, global communication security and
efficiency, resilient energy distribution, and accelerated quantum
computing. Learn how Infleqtion is revolutionizing how we
communicate, navigate, and discover at www.Infleqtion.com and
connect with us on LinkedIn.
Infleqtion UK is a wholly owned subsidiary of the flagship
commercial brand Infleqtion. Infleqtion UK has a fully equipped
quantum research laboratory and established production facilities
in Oxford for its UK-developed Photonically Integrated Cold Atom
Source (PICAS) product. The company conducts advanced research and
development in inertial sensing and advanced timing for navigation
within GNSS-denied environments, radiofrequency sensors for
communications and defence applications, memory modules for secure
quantum networks, and quantum information platforms for computation
and simulation.
About BAE Systems
At BAE Systems, we provide some of the world's most advanced,
technology-led defence, aerospace, and security solutions. We
employ a skilled workforce of around 100,000 people in around 40
countries. Working with customers and local partners, we develop,
engineer, manufacture, and support products and systems to deliver
military capability, protect national security, and keep critical
information and infrastructure secure.
About QinetiQ
QinetiQ is an integrated global defence and security company
focused on mission-led innovation. We employ more than 8,500 highly
skilled people, committed to creating new ways of protecting what
matters most; testing technologies, systems, and processes to make
sure they meet operational needs; and enabling customers to deploy
new and enhanced capabilities with the assurance they will deliver
the performance required. Visit our website www.QinetiQ.com. Follow
us on LinkedIn and Twitter @QinetiQ. Visit our blog
www.QinetiQ-blogs.com.
About UK Research and Innovation
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is the largest public funder
of research and innovation in the UK, investing £8 billion annually
spanning all disciplines and all sectors. We are nine councils,
drawing on our unique breadth and depth of expertise to work with
government and other stakeholders to enrich lives, by increasing
our understanding of ourselves and the world around us, supporting
innovative businesses and public services, and creating
high-quality jobs throughout the UK.
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Press Contact for Infleqtion Matt Stubbs
mstubbs@voxuspr.com
Press Contact for QinetiQ Tel: +44 (0) 1252 39 3500
Email: PressOffice@QinetiQ.com