South Korea Launches Quantum Initiative in Aerospace with Norma and Gyeongsang National University

Insider Brief:

• Norma and Gyeongsang National University have launched South Korea’s first quantum advantage project in aerospace, aiming to develop quantum algorithms for nonlinear high-speed aerodynamics simulations.

• The project targets exponential improvements in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) for hypersonic vehicles and space systems by solving equations like Burgers’ and Navier-Stokes with quantum computing.

• The initiative will proceed in three phases: QCFD development and demonstration, prototype collaboration with aerospace and defense firms, and commercialization for global markets.

• Norma will lead quantum machine learning tool development, while the university will focus on QCFD; the project is expected to span 5 to 8 years and position South Korea as a leader in quantum aerospace innovation.

• Editor’s Note: The following was translated from Korean to English using ChatGPT.

PRESS RELEASE — South Korea says it is now pursuing its first demonstration of quantum advantage in the aerospace sector. Norma, a company specializing in quantum security and quantum computing (CEO Hyun-Chul Jung), announced on March 24 that it has launched a quantum advantage demonstration project applying quantum technology to the aerospace field.

Norma has recently begun joint research with the Aerospace Computational Modeling Lab at Gyeongsang National University (led by Professor Noh-Shin Myung) on “quantum algorithm-based aerodynamic analysis and quantum advantage realization in aerospace applications.”

The project will focus on nonlinear high-speed aerodynamics. The goal is to verify the possibility of performing fluid dynamics simulations—critical for hypersonic vehicles, next-generation fighter jets, reusable launch vehicles, and unmanned combat systems—exponentially faster and more accurately than existing numerical analysis methods.

Currently used Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods face high computational costs and time constraints when solving hypersonic and compressible flow problems. As part of this project, Norma plans to develop a quantum-based CFD algorithm (QCFD) that can exponentially outperform classical CFD in computational speed. A key objective is to develop quantum algorithms that can solve the nonlinear Burgers’ equation and the Navier-Stokes equations, which are crucial for analyzing high-speed compressible flows.

The project will be carried out in three structured phases:

• Development and demonstration of QCFD,

• Prototype development in collaboration with aerospace and defense companies,

• Commercialization and entry into the global defense and space markets.

Norma will focus on developing quantum machine learning (QML) tools to support design tasks linked with fluid dynamics analysis, while Gyeongsang National University will lead the development of the QCFD model. Norma anticipates the entire research effort will span 5 to 8 years.

Professor Noh-Shin Myung of Gyeongsang National University is a globally recognized expert in the field, known for being the first to propose a pure quantum algorithm to solve the nonlinear Burgers’ equation. He stated, “This project will demonstrate that quantum computing is not just theoretical—it is a transformative technology for the aerospace and defense industries.”

If successful, the project will prove quantum advantage by performing fluid simulations exponentially faster than classical methods. The results could lead to innovations in hypersonic and space vehicle design, the development of core defense technologies, and broader breakthroughs across related industries. Norma, which has already been securing quantum advantage references across various sectors including gaming, defense, finance, and biotech, aims to set a new milestone in aerospace with this initiative.

CEO Hyun-Chul Jung of Norma remarked, “We hope this research becomes a major milestone that propels South Korea into a leadership position in quantum computing-based aerospace technologies. If successful, it will not only catalyze innovation in the aerospace sector but also become a foundational technology across industries when combined with AI.”

Founded in 2011, Norma is a leading quantum security and computing company. It recently launched the Q Platform, an environment for developing quantum applications, and is preparing to release Qrion, South Korea’s first industrial quantum computer.

SOURCE: ZDNET Korea