Official announcement from the UK Ministry of Defence or Dstl

UK Quantum Clock Promises ₤1 Billion Savings, Cyber Warfare Edge

Jan 2, 2025, 05:36 AM

The UK Ministry of Defence has developed a groundbreaking atomic clock utilizing quantum technology, marking a significant advancement in military operations. The clock, created by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), is the first of its kind built in the UK and offers unprecedented precision, losing less than one second over billions of years. This innovation reduces reliance on GPS, which is vulnerable to jamming or disruption, and enhances capabilities such as missile accuracy, secure communications, and navigation. The clock is expected to be deployable within the next five years and represents a leap forward in quantum technology applications for defense. The project, which could save the UK ₤1 billion daily in case of GNSS failure, has received over £28 million in funding and involves collaboration with key partners, including Infleqtion, Aquark Technologies, and Imperial College London. It also has implications for cyber warfare and has been tested in collaboration with the Royal Navy. The development aligns with the UK’s broader strategy to integrate cutting-edge technologies into defense systems, bolstering operational security and resilience.