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Air Force Funds $5.8M Quantum Networking Breakthrough

9/20/2025

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Summary

Story summary

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) awarded a $5.8 million contract to Rigetti Computing and QphoX to enhance superconducting quantum networking over three years.
The project integrates Rigetti's superconducting qubits with QphoX's single-photon transducers for converting microwave signals to optical photons.
It aims to develop quantum local area networks (QLANs) in Rome, NY, enabling secure quantum key exchange.
The partnership seeks to transform laboratory technologies into market-ready components, boosting the U.S. in quantum information science.
Successful implementation may lead to a secure quantum internet and scalable distributed quantum computing services.

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Story summary

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) awarded a $5.8 million contract to Rigetti Computing and QphoX to enhance superconducting quantum networking over three years.
The project integrates Rigetti's superconducting qubits with QphoX's single-photon transducers for converting microwave signals to optical photons.
It aims to develop quantum local area networks (QLANs) in Rome, NY, enabling secure quantum key exchange.
The partnership seeks to transform laboratory technologies into market-ready components, boosting the U.S. in quantum information science.
Successful implementation may lead to a secure quantum internet and scalable distributed quantum computing services.