Terra Quantum Wins SBIR Funding to Study Feasibility of Long-Range Quantum-Resistant Network For The US Air Force

Insider Brief

• Terra Quantum announces a study to develop a quantum-resistant network for the Department of the Air Force (DAF) for ultra-secure long-range communications.
• The project will use post-quantum cryptography (PQC), Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) and Quantum Random Number Generators (QRNG) to prevent unauthorized data interception.
• The company says this technology will be designed to permit the highest level of cybersecurity and defending against hack now, decrypt later attacks.

PRESS RELEASE — Terra Quantum, a leading quantum computing company, announced a significant new initiative to study the feasibility of developing a quantum-resistant network for the U.S. Department of the Air Force (DAF). Leveraging advanced post-quantum and quantum cryptography will make unauthorized interception of transmitted data physically impossible.

Several US government agencies, including the Department of Defense, fund Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) grants and contracts. The application process is highly competitive, with only about 15% of proposals winning a contract. The agency funds technology with the potential for commercialization within the defense industry. Terra Quantum won an SBIR contract for this project.

This contract is a significant milestone for both parties. It underscores the critical role of quantum technology in securing communications against future quantum threats, thus enhancing the efficiency and security of U.S. military assets.

Terra Quantum will focus on providing an ultra-secure, long-range communications network based on post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution (QKD). This will enable the DAF to quantum-securely transmit sensitive data over vast distances and at very high rates.

This new project will study the feasibility of combining QKD, quantum random number generators (QRNG), and PQC into a solution to advance cybersecurity readiness immediately. This advancement would provide the highest level of cybersecurity and a robust defense against IT security threats, including hack-now and decrypt-later attacks.

The unique combination of these cutting-edge quantum technologies will allow the DAF and U.S. Department of Defense to reach the highest level of cybersecurity and overcome previous constraints. The solution enhances security and ensures that any attempt to eavesdrop on communications would be detectable. This solution could protect sensitive data from hack-now, decrypt-later attacks.

Dr. Florian Neukart, CPO Terra Quantum, says: “Our proposal builds on the team’s extensive expertise in cybersecurity, including PQC, and quantum cryptography such as QKD. Our achievements include holding the world record for transmitting quantum keys over 1,707 km and securing multiple internationally recognized quantum computing and cryptography patents. Additionally, our PQC library ensures robust, quantum-resistant security. This underpins the technical merit of the proposed solution and reinforces its potential for success.”

Markus Pflitsch, CEO of Terra Quantum, said, “The world faces ever-increasing cybersecurity attacks that threaten our critical infrastructure. Our technology and solutions help protect sensitive data and set new industry standards for quantum-secure communication. This project also will show the advantages of combining multiple technologies to build secure networks.”

As quantum computers develop, they will be able to perform certain mathematical algorithms exponentially faster and crack classical state-of-the-art cryptographic systems. As a result, the importance of protecting information against quantum threats continues to increase.