Air Force Research Laboratory Partnering with IBM on Quantum Technology

(GovConWire) The Air Force Research Laboratory is partnering with IBM to explore the potential applications of commercial quantum technology to U.S. Air Force operations. AFRL says it will work with the company’s researchers to examine optimization challenges, quantum chemistry simulation and machine learning algorithms on actual hardware through the IBM Q Network.
Both IBM and AFRL want to establish a quantum hub to utilize an agile and transformative ecosystem and foster collaborative scientific research initiatives to address technological issues. “We are conducting development and testing of many of the new high-performance computing architectures, including neuromorphic computing, so we want to be certain we’re also positioning ourselves to lead quantum idea generation and capability development for the Air Force,” said Col. Timothy Lawrence, director of AFRL’s information directorate.