The U.S. military has kicked off a new program to find out which company is most likely to build a powerful and practical quantum computer within the next ten years. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), part of the U.S. Department of Defense, is leading this effort. With over 70 companies working on quantum computers today, it’s unclear who will build the most useful one. This new initiative will help identify the most promising technologies and explore how quantum computing could help the American economy and defense systems in the future.
What Is DARPA’s Quantum Initiative?
DARPA’s new program is called the Underexplored Systems for Utility-Scale Quantum Computing (US2QC). The agency wants to find out which company or research group can build a quantum computer that solves real-world problems. Most quantum computers today are still in early stages. They often face problems like noise, error rates, and limited processing power.
With this initiative, DARPA plans to support developers who offer new ideas and practical solutions. The agency will fund teams that present unique approaches to building quantum machines that are faster and more reliable than today’s models.
“We want to identify the systems that offer a true path to utility-scale quantum computing,” said Joe Altepeter, program manager in DARPA’s Defense Sciences Office.
Why Quantum Computing Matters to National Security
Quantum computers work in a very different way than regular computers. They use quantum bits, or qubits, which can store more information than standard bits. This allows them to process complex problems much faster. Scientists believe quantum computers could one day solve problems that are impossible for even the fastest supercomputers.
This speed could be used for things like:
- Advanced data encryption
- Better logistics for military operations
- Faster drug and vaccine development
- Climate modeling
- Financial market simulations
That’s why DARPA wants to make sure the U.S. is leading in this field—especially as countries like China and Russia also invest heavily in quantum research.
Who’s Competing in the Quantum Race?
More than 70 companies around the world are working on quantum computing. These include big names like:
- IBM
- Intel
- IonQ
- Rigetti Computing
- PsiQuantum
Each company has a different approach. For example:
- IBM and Google use superconducting qubits
- IonQ and Honeywell use trapped-ion systems
- PsiQuantum uses photonic qubits
DARPA is looking for fresh approaches that might outperform all of these. The goal is to break past current limits in scale and performance.
How Will DARPA Evaluate the Technology?
The US2QC program will run in stages. In the first stage, DARPA will select a few teams with unique technology ideas. Over the next few years, those teams must build a working prototype that shows real-world benefits.
DARPA will assess:
- Speed of processing
- Accuracy and error rates
- Power use
- Ability to scale up
The agency also wants to find out what kinds of tasks these computers can handle. Can they help with military missions? Can they give U.S. industries a competitive edge?
Challenges Ahead
Quantum computing still has a long way to go. Today’s quantum machines are not yet reliable for everyday use. They often make errors or need cooling systems close to absolute zero. Scaling up these machines without losing accuracy is one of the biggest hurdles.
DARPA hopes this program will not just speed up development—but also help avoid dead ends.
The Global Competition
Other countries are also racing to develop quantum computers:
- China has invested billions and built its own quantum communication satellites.
- Europe has funded large-scale quantum research programs.
- Canada is home to D-Wave Systems, a pioneer in quantum annealing.
The U.S. wants to stay ahead by encouraging innovation and supporting the most promising ideas through agencies like DARPA.
What’s Next?
DARPA will soon announce which companies and research teams are selected for the US2QC program. These teams will receive funding and technical support to build and test their ideas. The results of the program could shape the future of computing for decades to come.
For now, all eyes are on DARPA to see which path leads to a true breakthrough.
