Babcock International to Move into Quantum Technology with Arqit Deal
(EENewsEurope) Engineering firm Babcock International is to move into quantum technology through a collaboration agreement with UK post-quantum encryption startup Arqit.
The two companies will jointly test and experiment with Arqit’s QuantumCloud on a range of use case scenarios and practical applications for government and defence customers and see Babcock deepen its involvement in quantum technology development.
Arqit is planning to launch two satellites as part of the service, with the first version now launched with $130m of contracts. In May, Arqit entered into a definitive agreement to merge with Centricus Acquisition, a special purpose acquisition company, which would result in Arqit becoming a publicly listed company on the US Nasdaq Stock Market under the name Arqit Quantum Inc and headquarters in the Cayman Islands.
Specific projects include unmanned ground vehicle programmes, secure manned and unmanned aerial vehicle programmes, secure maritime connectivity programmes and other projects that will come to fruition through ongoing conversations with UK government and R&D agencies.
QuantumCloud creates software encryption keys, combining patented quantum and classical technologies. The product is simple and efficient to use at any cloud, edge, or end point device with minimal disruption to hardware or software through an agent with 200 lines of code.
