Q-CTRL has been selected for two awards under the DARPA Robust Quantum Sensors (RoQS) program, receiving contracts valued at A$38M (US$24.4M). The funding will support the development of next-generation quantum sensors for navigation on high-performance military vehicles. Q-CTRL will be joined by Lockheed Martin as a subcontractor on one aspect of the program.
Q-CTRL will augment its field-validated quantum sensing technologies for real-world use cases. The company’s approach uses AI-powered software ruggedization to enable sensors to operate reliably on moving defense platforms without traditional shielding or isolation. The technology focuses on gravimetric and magnetic navigation and provides positioning by matching detected signals to pre-generated maps. The RoQS program was established by DARPA to accelerate the development, testing, and validation of quantum sensors that are resilient to environmental interference, mechanical vibrations, and heavy g-forces.
The awards build on Q-CTRL’s recent field trials, including a demonstration of its Ironstone Opal system in flight, which reportedly achieved up to 111x greater positioning accuracy than a high-end INS when GPS was unavailable. The technology was also validated in maritime trials on board the Royal Australian Naval vessel, MV Sycamore. Jonathan Stock, Chief Scientist for Innovation, NASA Ames Intelligent Systems Division, commented that the awards illustrate the potential for impactful new use of this technology, such as for mineral prospecting and subsurface mapping.
This selection by DARPA and the collaboration with Lockheed Martin indicates the priority defense agencies are placing on quantum navigation solutions. Michael J Biercuk, CEO of Q-CTRL, noted that the work is intended for the most challenging defense missions. This initiative contributes to the maturation of quantum sensing for defense and dual-use applications by providing a solution that is complementary to GPS and resilient against external interference.
Read the full announcement here.
August 27, 2025
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