Australian quantum tech company Q-CTRL has tested its advanced quantum navigation sensors with the Australian Defence Force aboard the Australian Navy’s multi-role aviation training vessel MV Sycamore.
As informed, in these trials, Q-CTRL field deployed a quantum dual gravimeter, which measures tiny variations in Earth’s gravity as part of a next-generation quantum-assured positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) system operable when GPS is unavailable or untrusted.
This first trial saw over 144 hours of continuous operation and successful data collection with no human intervention during real maritime operations.
The dual gravimeter was installed in a “strapdown” configuration (bolted to the floor) in the space of a single server rack in a communications room onboard MV Sycamore. The sensor consumed only 180W of power – about 10 times less than a household toaster, setting a record for SWaP (size, weight, and power).
Moreover, in this trial, the ship’s motion and engine vibrations were sufficient to cause total loss of signal using conventional operating techniques typically employed in research experiments.
To address these losses, Q-CTRL’s unique software-ruggedization strategies recovered operation at near world-record levels even while MV Sycamore was underway, allowing the team to outpace international competitors interested in similar technology.
Earlier this year, Q-CTRL announced successful airborne field trials of a new generation of quantum-magnetic navigation solutions, Ironstone Opal, validated for the first time to outperform comparable conventional alternatives in challenging real-world settings by 50x.
The newly announced trials of Q-CTRL’s gravimetric navigation technology now open opportunities to bring quantum-assured navigation to maritime vessels where magnetic navigation can be less effective., the company noted.
“Quantum sensors provide a near-term opportunity to achieve transformational defense capabilities, but previous deployments in the field have struggled to deliver defense-relevant performance,” said Q-CTRL CEO and Founder, Michael J. Biercuk .
“Operating on a real moving vehicle is just not the same as conducting a science experiment; at Q-CTRL, we’ve taken a different approach to getting quantum sensors out of the lab, focusing on software as the critical enabler of performance in the real world.”
GPS denial has become one of the most pressing strategic challenges in both defense and commercial settings, risking major disruptions to civilian and military operations.
Q-CTRL’s demonstration with the Australian Navy departs from most previous quantum sensing field trials in that these tests mandated peak performance with full autonomy and without the addition of any special infrastructure. The sensor had to operate just as a real navigation system would operate during a defense mission.
“We expect the quantum sensing market to reach $3bn-5bn by 2030,” commented Jean-Francois Bobier , Partner & Vice President, Deep Tech, at the Boston Consulting Group.
“Especially amid heightened cases of GPS denial, field-validated quantum sensors are more important than ever for navigational safety. With clear use cases and early adopters in the defense industry, Q-CTRL’s achievements pave the way for future economies of scale and broader adoption.”