DARPA, State of New Mexico set up framework to advance quantum computing

As a part of the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI), DARPA signed an settlement with the State of New Mexico’s Economic Development Department to create the Quantum Frontier Project. This effort focuses on furthering quantum computing know-how aligned with DARPA’s mission to create strategic shock in addition to advance financial, industrial, and scientific worth of nationwide safety significance.

QBI, which kicked off in July 2024, goals to find out whether or not it’s potential to construct a helpful pc a lot quicker than typical predictions. Specifically, QBI is designed to scrupulously confirm and validate whether or not any quantum computing strategy can obtain utility-scale operation — which means its computational worth exceeds its price — by the yr 2033.

“New Mexico is the latest state to enter into partnership on QBI, and we are eager to leverage new facilities and expertise as we test and evaluate claims from a number of quantum computing companies about their progress in building a useful quantum computer,” stated Joe Altepeter, QBI program supervisor. “World-class national laboratories in New Mexico, such as Sandia and Los Alamos, are already a part of QBI’s independent verification and validation team, and we look forward through the Quantum Frontier Project to tapping into more of the state’s quantum R&D and testing infrastructure to help us determine whether quantum computers will work or not.”

The settlement doesn’t set up or require particular funding ranges for both DARPA or the State of Mexico. DARPA and New Mexico have agreed, relying on outcomes achieved, to supply matching contributions of as much as $60 million every over a four-year interval. The funding will likely be utilized to efforts that immediately assist QBI and the Quantum Frontier Project.

“Quantum computing may prove to be the most consequential technology of this century — for national security, for breakthrough innovations, and perhaps most importantly, for avoiding strategic surprise,” stated Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham. “New Mexico, having once pioneered applied physics, is excited to partner with DARPA on the QBI program to stay at the forefront of frontier technology and bring our world-class research, development, and entrepreneurial ecosystem into the fold.” 

The DARPA-New Mexico Quantum Frontier Project follows related QBI agreements signed with the State of Illinois (the Quantum Proving Ground) and the State of Maryland (the Capital Quantum Benchmarking Hub). DARPA is open to partnering with any State on quantum computing, if:

1. That State has already launched and funded an effort associated to quantum computing
2. The particular nature of the State effort has the potential to immediately contribute to targets of the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative

For extra data on QBI go to: www.darpa.mil/QBI.