Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with Q-CTRL and AOSense, has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Innovation Unit (DIU) to prototype a quantum-enabled Inertial Navigation System (INS). The system, called QuINS, uses quantum sensing technology to provide precise navigation and positioning without relying on GPS. This initiative is part of DIU’s broader Transition of Quantum Sensing (TQS) program, which aims to demonstrate the military utility of quantum sensors across five critical areas: inertial sensors, gravimeters, magnetic anomaly detection, magnetic navigation, and component development.
QuINS employs motion-sensitive quantum sensors to calculate position, speed, and orientation. Q-CTRL contributes expertise in quantum system stabilization, while AOSense provides advanced quantum sensor development. Lockheed Martin focuses on integrating the technology into practical defense applications. The initial phase of the contract will validate QuINS performance and explore its potential for real-world military use, particularly in GPS-denied environments.
The TQS program, launched in 2024, is structured around five lines of effort to improve strategic capabilities such as Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) and anomaly detection. Quantum inertial sensors, for example, use atom interferometry or spin-polarized noble gas nuclei to measure acceleration and rotation with high precision. These sensors are being tested for use in airborne and maritime platforms, addressing challenges in dynamic environments where GPS signals are unavailable or compromised.
Quantum gravimeters, another focus area, leverage laser-manipulated atoms to measure local gravity effects, aiding navigation in maritime domains. Magnetic anomaly detection, enabled by quantum magnetometers, offers a navigation alternative in GPS-denied environments by detecting subtle shifts in Earth’s magnetic field. These sensors, based on technologies like nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond crystals, provide high sensitivity and low drift, making them suitable for airborne operations.
The final line of effort focuses on component development to reduce the size, weight, and power consumption of quantum sensor systems. This includes advancements in chip-scale lasers, photonic integrated circuits, and control electronics. The TQS program also emphasizes collaboration between startups, non-traditional contractors, and traditional defense companies to accelerate the integration of quantum technologies into DoD systems.
For more details, visit the original announcement by Lockheed Martin here, a blog post on the Q-CTRL website here, and the DIU’s TQS program update here.
March 14, 2025
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