QuSecure, Inc. has been selected by AFWERX for a $3.9 million SBIR Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) contract to deliver post-quantum cryptographic (PQC) capabilities for the U.S. Air Force (USAF). The contract, awarded on January 15, 2026, focuses on securing special missions within the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), which manages strategic deterrence platforms such as the B-52 bomber. The initiative aims to mature QuSecure’s technology for long-term procurement and sustainment, ensuring that critical communications remain resilient against the emerging threat of quantum-enabled decryption.
A primary objective of this award is the pursuit of Impact Level 6 (IL6) authorization for QuProtect R3, with a deployment target in classified cloud environments by Q3 2026. This authorization would permit the Department of Defense (DoD) to deploy quantum-resilient infrastructure across secret and air-gapped networks. The QuProtect R3 platform utilizes a modular, crypto-agile architecture that provides centralized visibility and governance over cryptographic assets, allowing for the rapid adoption of NIST post-quantum standards without requiring extensive system re-architecture or operational disruption.
This TACFI award builds on QuSecure’s expanding portfolio of federal contracts, including recent work for the Missile Defense Agency (SHIELD). By advancing PQC integration within the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) ecosystem, QuSecure is positioning its technology as a foundational security layer for “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” defense. Beyond national security, QuSecure is targeting fast-growth sectors such as Smart City 5G infrastructure, Healthcare IoT, and Industry 4.0 manufacturing networks to establish standardized quantum-safe telemetry and logistics.
For further technical details on the IL6 authorization roadmap and QuProtect R3 architecture, consult the official announcement from QuSecure here.
March 4, 2026
