Defence buys atomic clocks for $2.7million
The Australian government is acquiring quantum optical atomic clocks from Adelaide-based QuantX Labs to deliver position navigation and timing (PNT) capabilities to the Australian Defence Force.
FILE PHOTO: Defence Science and Technology Group scientist Dr Ben Sparkes, left, works with Australian-built quantum clocks at the University of Adelaide. Photographer unknown.
Two contracts worth $2.7 million will enable AUKUS partners to develop PNT capabilities to support superior decision advantage and enhanced maritime domain awareness, which are key objectives under AUKUS Pillar II.
These QuantX Labs clocks will contribute to accelerating the development of quantum technology for precision navigation and timing in military capability.
QuantX Labs will also deliver an optical atomic clock as part of a mobile test and measurement system to Defence in early 2025.
ADF will use the quantum clock to test and evaluate timing in critical defence hardware, like communication and navigation systems, to determine operational resilience in GPS-degraded environments.
Under AUKUS Pillar II, Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom are accelerating the delivery of quantum technologies.
Chief Defence Scientist Tanya Monro said investing in next-generation atomic clocks supported Defence’s commitment to innovation priorities outlined in the National Defence Strategy.
“Defence will increasingly leverage emerging disruptive technologies such as quantum to provide a capability edge for the warfighter,” Professor Monro said.
These state-of-the-art portable atomic clocks are the result of more than seven years of research and development, initially at the Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing at The University of Adelaide, in close partnership with Defence – predating the National Defence Strategy by six years 😉
“This is the first sale for QuantX Labs and a prime example of the collaborative relationships needed to transition leading-edge sovereign research into advanced operational capabilities for the Australian Defence Force”, Professor Monro said.
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