On November 9 of last year, the Wall Street Journal reported that “the R&D policy funding will be given priority to artificial intelligence and quantum science during the term of the next president of Joe Biden.”
Quantum science has attracted attention here. Quantum information science refers to the field of researching experimental subjects including information theory and quantum mechanics, such as experimenting with quantum computer materials and manufacturing quantum entanglement transmission devices.
Quantum computers developed by Google and IBM are a prime example. Physicists and engineers related to quantum mechanics are participating in this research, and it is expected to become a dream computer that will revolutionize future information systems.
Competition between the US and China to apply quantum information science to weapons systems is heating up. Pictured is a quantum computing research facility at the Army Research Institute in Maryland, USA. ⒸUS DEPT OF DEFENCE
Quantum science, Emerging as the core of the future weapon system
It is noteworthy that this quantum information science is being applied to the development of next-generation weapons.
According to the US Department of Defense news site on the 25th, Deputy Director of the Quantum Science Laboratory Paul Lopata held an interview with the press and quantum information science during Engineering Week.
Deputy Director Lopata said on the spot, “We are developing quantum computing and advanced network technologies that can encrypt or decrypt communications much faster than before. This quantum science will bring revolutionary technologies in the field of defense in the future.” .
The Quantum Science Lab is currently working with the National Institute of Standards and Technology to jointly develop a new encryption standard system that can keep information private.
Deputy Director explained, “Gyros and accelerometers using quantum sensors are becoming’another very interesting possibility’ that can be effectively used for tracking missiles as well as fighters in the future.”
However, regarding the level of the recent quantum science, he said, “The level is just beginning to understand the possibility.” In fact, the field where quantum science is currently applied is to supply power to atomic clocks used by GPS satellites.
“However, the importance of quantum science is increasing as military systems such as aircraft and missiles require high-precision navigation and timing,” said Lopata.
He compared quantum science to the first use of electricity in the military in the 1800s. At that time, the armed forces of each country focused on laying wires and supplying power, but in actual battles, communication technology was developed to create groundbreaking information technology capable of long-distance commands.
Since then, the war situation transformed into an information war against time, changing the game of the world’s strongest powers. Deputy Director Lopata’s remarks suggest that quantum science can also change the game of war in the future.
beauty‧Quantum computer component development competition among China
The United States is not the only country currently applying quantum science to weapons development.
Many countries, including rivals Russia and China, are putting a lot of energy into quantum science. It is known that quantum computing is what these countries are paying the most attention to.
Researcher Julian Krause, who is studying quantum networks at the University of Southampton, said, “Especially the United States and China are in a fierce arms race to build rival structures on the Internet of the future.”
In fact, the two countries are building a new Internet that connects quantum computers to quantum communication channels to run unimaginable security systems. In addition, it is fiercely competing to develop related parts.
As is known, quantum computers can use quantum phenomena such as superposition and entanglement to perform more tasks than any computer in use today. Scientists predict that even the most advanced supercomputers can perform difficult computations.
The reason why the US and China are competing by pouring enormous amounts of money into this field is that if quantum computer development proceeds at the current speed, quantum computers can decode the digital information used today in about 10 years.
As scientists warn that quantum computers can break through all the communications networks used today by quantum computers, there is a need to hurry up security measures.
Recently, the competition for weapons development centered on quantum science is intensifying. Lopata, deputy director of the Department of Defense Quantum Science Office, is involved in a number of academia and private sectors, as well as departments carrying out advanced defense research projects.
“There are a wide range of basic scientists, applied scientists, and engineers from various fields who want to understand how to use quantum science and apply it to the current defense system,” said the deputy director.
The evaluation of scientists working on quantum information science is also changing. Deputy Director Lopata said, “The Department of Defense’s quantum science lab has the potential to conduct extensive research and is the best opportunity to pioneer new technologies.”
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