Xairos Systems has secured a $1.9 million Direct-to-Phase II SBIR contract from SpaceWERX to develop a fusion Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) solution that integrates quantum and optical clock synchronization. This effort addresses the need for secure timing and communications in GPS-denied environments, particularly for the Alt-PNT Challenge. In collaboration with Luminous Cyber Corporation and Eritek Inc., Xairos recently completed a Preliminary Design Review for a field-deployable terminal utilizing Quantum Time Transfer (QTT), novel clock ensembles, and compact optical communications technology.
This contract is part of the Department of the Air Force’s Open Topic SBIR/STTR program, which funds small business innovation to enhance national security. Xairos’ QTT technology promises sub-nanosecond accuracy, a thousand times more precise than traditional methods, with a secure architecture resistant to spoofing and jamming. The solution aims to provide a resilient global timing network, critical for defense, telecommunications, financial systems, and power grids.
By advancing space-based timing infrastructure, Xairos and its partners contribute to the modernization of national security and critical infrastructure. This initiative aligns with SpaceWERX’s mission to accelerate technology transition for operational capabilities. The collaboration also strengthens the defense industrial base by integrating cutting-edge quantum and optical technologies into real-world applications.
For more information, visit Xairos’s press release here.
February 11, 2025
