Quantum computing company IonQ has inked a new agreement with the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) to deliver two trapped ion quantum computing systems. The systems will be deployed at AFRL’s facility in Rome, N.Y. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.

In the broader context, the partnership aligns with the U.S. federal government’s commitment to the development of quantum technology, evident from Congress’ 2018 establishment of the National Quantum Initiative (NQI). The NQI is an interagency program that provides funding for quantum R&D. This contract comes one year after a previous agreement between IonQ and AFRL, which provided the research lab with access to IonQ’s trapped ion technology.

IonQ recently reported a record $28 million in bookings for the second quarter of 2023. The company also signed a contract with Switzerland-based QuantumBasel to establish a European quantum data center.

[Image courtesy: IonQ]