World-leading Australian quantum clocks successfully trialled under AUKUS Pillar II

Four Australian‑developed quantum technology clocks have been successfully trialled in the United States, as part of the Albanese Government’s $2.7 million investment towards these AUKUS Pillar Two capabilities.

Held over a six-week period in Washington D.C., the trials saw Adelaide‑based QuantX Labs and the University of Adelaide each contribute two quantum clocks, which were tested by AUKUS partners under various environmental conditions to evaluate their performance and potential for defence applications, including communication and navigation systems.

Quantum clocks are used to assure the synchronisation of communications networks, detect GPS spoofing and jamming, and provide reliable position, navigation and timing in contested environments.

Integrating this technology into AUKUS partners’ militaries will enhance the Australian Defence Force’s ability to operate in environments where GPS navigation is unreliable or unavailable.

These world‑leading clocks have been developed in Adelaide through $2.7 million in Australian Government contracts, in conjunction with the Defence Science and Technology Group, and sovereign industry and academic partners. This is part of the Albanese Government’s increased investment in advanced capabilities, including up to $3.8 billion over the next decade in the Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator.

The outcomes of the quantum clock trial will be shared among AUKUS partners to inform analysis of how quantum clocks may be used in future defence operations.

Quantum technology will play a vital role in the future of the Australian Defence Force, as identified in the 2024 National Defence Strategy and the Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Defence Industry, the Hon Pat Conroy MP:

“Australian industry has long been at the forefront of quantum technology.

“This collaboration harnesses expertise and experience from AUKUS partners and leverages emerging technologies to deliver the capabilities our militaries need.

“Through AUKUS Pillar II, we are achieving capability development faster than any one of our nations could achieve alone.”

MEDIA NOTE:

Media can access imagery at https://images.defence.gov.au/S20232381

KEY FACTS: 

QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY IN AUSTRALIA

• Australia is recognised as a global leader in Quantum technology, with some of the best minds in quantum research and applied technology on our home turf.
• A strong, domestic quantum ecosystem will play a key role in Australia’s future-focused economy, national security and job creation for future generations.
• Quantum technologies are expected to provide powerful new capabilities for businesses and increasing productivity across a range of sectors.
• Quantum technologies are also likely to enhance the performance of other emerging technologies including; biotechnology, artificial intelligence and robotics.
• The Australian quantum clocks utilise unique, patented, sovereign technology, complementing the advanced portable clock technologies of other nations.
• Sustained Government investment through Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) over time has led to sovereign technologies that leverage the unique characteristics of novel elements in innovative ways not commercialised elsewhere in the world.
• The University of Adelaide-built portable optical atomic clock uses warm Ytterbium vapour – the only such example of this on the path to commercialisation anywhere in the world.
• QuantX are implementing a portable optical atomic clock with Rubidium using a two-colour two-photon (rather than two photons of the same colour) approach based on unique, patented Australian intellectual property.