The UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has concluded a series of trials aimed at developing next-generation atomic clock technology for military applications. Published on February 18, 2026, the initiative focuses on improving Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) resilience for UK forces, providing a fallback for satellite-based systems like GPS, which are susceptible to jamming or denial. These clocks utilize light waves to energize atoms, creating a frequency reference significantly more stable and accurate than current standard military timing components.
The trial allowed manufacturers and research teams to test individual components and integrated devices under long-term, unattended operation, providing a more realistic assessment of technical durability than laboratory environments. Participants included the Royal Navy and UK-based enterprises such as Far Field Exploits, which tested wireless time and frequency transfer systems. Dstl provided the measurement expertise and specialized equipment required to validate that these timing devices can meet the robust standards necessitated by specific military environments, including underwater operations for crewed and uncrewed vessels.
The program includes a roadmap for further testing in 2027, which will expand the scope to address broader military challenges in quantum sensing. The UK government has established a goal to deploy integrated quantum navigation systems, incorporating these next-generation atomic clocks, onto aircraft by 2030. This long-term strategy is intended to ensure high-precision accuracy and operational persistence across diverse terrains and climates while fostering a domestic industrial base for quantum-enabled defense technology.
For further technical details, view the official announcement from the UK Government here.
February 18, 2026
