Researchers to brief industry on military quantum computing in applications like sensors and communications

Questions and answers:

• What is the goal of the DARPA Heterogeneous Architectures for Quantum (HARQ) program? It aims to develop heterogeneous quantum computing architectures that combine different types of quantum and classical computing components to improve scalability, performance, and resource efficiency.
• What are the two main technical focus areas of the HARQ program? MOSAIC, which focuses on quantum circuit compilers for diverse qubit species, and QSB, which addresses interconnect technologies for communication between different quantum components.
• When and how can companies participate in the upcoming HARQ industry briefing? The virtual industry briefing will be Friday 8 Aug 2025, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., via ZoomGov. Interested companies must register online by 1 Aug. 2025.

ARLINGTON, Va. – U.S. military researchers will brief industry next month on an upcoming program to develop heterogeneous quantum computing architectures for future applications quantum computing, quantum sensors, and quantum communications.

Officials of the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) in Arlington, Va., will brief industry on the Heterogeneous Architectures for Quantum (HARQ) program (DARPA-PS-25-31) during an online webcast from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday 8 Aug. 2025.

Researchers are particularly interested in quantum interconnects, quantum circuit compilers, distributed algorithms, resource estimation, quantum memory and repeaters, quantum frequency converters, microwave-to-optical transducers, and other elements at the interface of the quantum computing hardware and software stack.

Heterogeneous quantum computing architectures either combine different types of quantum components, or integrate quantum and classical computing to optimize overall performance and overcome the limitations of homogeneous quantum devices.

Heterogeneous architectures

Heterogeneous quantum computing architectures can include quantum components optimized for different roles; integrating classical and quantum resources; layered and modular design; co-design and hardware-aware error correction; and systematic design frameworks and toolboxes.

While large-scale quantum computers offer revolutionary capability, attention today focuses on homogeneous architectures that are designed around one qubit species. Classical computing, on the other hand, relies on diverse specialized approaches for optimal performance in processing, memory, and communications.

The power of modern-day systems like supercomputers, smart phones, and radar comes from the ability to select the best components for every function, and to move data quickly and efficiently between them. Qubit computers excel at select processing, memory, and communications functions, yet no known qubit excels at all compute functions.

Tell me more about military quantum computing.

• Military quantum computing refers to the use of quantum computing technology by defense and military organizations to revolutionize their computing capabilities and operations. Quantum computers process information using quantum bits (qubits) instead of classical bits, enabling them to perform complex calculations and handle vast amounts of data much faster and more efficiently than traditional computers..

The HARQ program seeks to eliminate the constraints of homogeneous, single-qubit computers, test whether they are more scalable than homogeneous architectures, and demonstrate component-level innovations.

HARQ has two technical areas: multi-qubit optimized software architecture through interconnected compilation (MOSAIC); and Quantum Shared Backbone (QSB).

MOSAIC will drive theory, modeling, simulation, and software development to develop heterogeneous quantum circuit compilers that optimize resource allocations among diverse qubit species. QSB focuses on interconnect technologies to communicate among different qubit species.

Proposers day details

The proposers day next month will introduce the HARQ program to industry, answer questions, and promote industry teaming. Online briefings will be via ZoomGov.

Companies interested should register online no later than 1 Aug. 2025 at https://web.cvent.com/event/bf6ac1b3-ff08-4945-8a2e-fdfd227cd11f/summary. Login information for the online briefings will be provided to registered attendees.

Email questions or concerns to DARPA at [email protected]. More information is online at https://sam.gov/opp/17c520213130422a8b9b609550e8082f/view.