The Royal Navy has trialled cutting-edge quantum technology from Southampton’s Aquark to bolster covert maritime operations.
- The trial involved Aquark’s cold atom technology aboard the HMS Pursuer, showcasing its potential in real-life naval scenarios.
- Aquark’s technology has successfully demonstrated continuous cold atom capture across various conditions on the naval vessel.
- Commander Matthew Steele highlights the potential for quantum technologies to enhance naval operations in GPS-compromised environments.
- Aquark’s recent £3.4m contract signifies significant government interest in advancing quantum tech for national defence.
The Royal Navy has recently tested groundbreaking quantum technology developed by Southampton-based startup Aquark aboard the vessel HMS Pursuer. This initiative aims to explore the use of quantum advancements in enhancing stealth and precision in maritime operations. The trial marks a significant step for both Aquark and British defence, as the Royal Navy seeks to integrate novel technologies into its arsenal to secure operational advantages.
Aquark’s innovative cold atom technology, which is capable of precise time measurement by cooling atoms to near absolute zero, was put to the test under various operational scenarios and locations on the vessel. The startup asserted the successful continuous capture of cold atoms during these trials, reinforcing the technology’s viability for naval applications.
Andrei Dragomir, co-Founder and CEO of Aquark Technologies, expressed optimism over the trial results, noting they follow earlier successes, such as deploying the first cold atom device on a drone. He stated, “The completion of this trial marks an encouraging milestone for the future of quantum technologies.”
Commander Matthew Steele, responsible for future technology at the Office of the Chief Technology Officer, reiterated the strategic importance of such advancements. He remarked on the potential for quantum technologies to offer an alternative to traditional Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) strategies, especially in situations where GPS services may be compromised.
The UK government is backing these technological advancements with substantial investment. Aquark’s recent £3.4 million contract from Innovate UK is a testament to the commitment to developing a high-performance cold atom clock. This clock aims to provide reliable PNT services absent of GPS, ensuring the Royal Navy maintains its operational edge on global stages.
The successful trial of Aquark’s quantum technology aboard HMS Pursuer signals a promising advancement in enhancing stealth capabilities for the Royal Navy.
