IonQ Commissions Ground-breaking Quantum System at the U.S. Air Force Research Lab

Rhea-AI Summary

IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) has successfully delivered and commissioned a quantum networking system to the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in Rome, New York. The system, based on trapped ions technology, is designed for research and development purposes to enhance quantum networking methodologies and algorithms.

This milestone follows multiple AFRL contracts awarded to IonQ since 2022, with a total value exceeding $94.4 million. The implementation aims to support AFRL's research objectives and advance quantum computing capabilities for national security applications.

The commissioning expands IonQ's global data center presence, which now includes locations in Washington D.C., Seattle, and Basel, Switzerland. This development follows IonQ's recent delivery of IonQ Forte Enterprise to its first European Innovation Center in partnership with QuantumBasel in Arlesheim, Switzerland.

Positive

• Secured over $94.4M in government contracts since 2022
• Expanded global presence with data centers in US and Switzerland
• Successfully delivered and commissioned new quantum system to AFRL
• Demonstrated ability to deliver enterprise-grade quantum capabilities

Negative

• None.

Insights

Financial Analyst

IonQ's deployment of a quantum networking system to the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory represents a significant business milestone with substantial financial implications. The company has secured $94.4 million in cumulative contract value with AFRL across four contracts since 2022, demonstrating meaningful revenue generation in the emerging quantum computing sector.

This installation follows a strategic global expansion pattern, with recent system deployments in Switzerland and growing data center presence in multiple locations. For investors, the most compelling aspect is the validation from sophisticated government customers - typically early adopters willing to pay premium prices for cutting-edge technology.

The bipartisan political support highlighted in the announcement (from both Senator Schumer and Congresswoman Stefanik) suggests ongoing federal funding priorities for quantum technologies, potentially creating a sustainable revenue pipeline for IonQ. While quantum computing remains an emerging technology, government contracts provide important revenue stability during the commercialization phase.

From a competitive standpoint, IonQ's trapped-ion approach is gaining traction against alternative quantum technologies from rivals. This AFRL deployment strengthens IonQ's position as a leader in quantum networking specifically, expanding beyond just computing capabilities.

Technology Analyst

This deployment represents a critical technical validation for IonQ's trapped-ion quantum technology in a high-stakes government research environment. The AFRL implementation is particularly noteworthy as it's optimized for quantum networking rather than just computing - addressing the important challenge of connecting quantum systems securely.

The specific mention of "precision, flexibility, and scalability" signals that IonQ is addressing fundamental technical hurdles in quantum networking research. Secure quantum communications networks represent a major technological frontier with national security implications, making this partnership strategically significant.

From a technical roadmap perspective, this deployment demonstrates IonQ's ability to build specialized systems for specific customer needs rather than just standardized offerings. The trapped-ion approach has theoretical advantages for networking applications due to longer coherence times and high-fidelity operations compared to other quantum technologies.

Most importantly, CEO de Masi's statement about delivering "enterprise-grade quantum capabilities today, not 10 years from now" addresses the skepticism often surrounding quantum technology timelines. This practical demonstration contradicts the narrative that quantum technologies remain purely theoretical or far-future prospects. The expanding global footprint (DC, Seattle, Basel, and now AFRL) creates a network effect that could accelerate application development and customer adoption cycles.

This significant milestone demonstrates the U.S. government’s long-standing support of quantum computing and networking

IonQ once again demonstrates its ability to deliver innovative quantum computing and networking systems to customers and partners worldwide

COLLEGE PARK, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- IonQ (NYSE: IONQ), a leader in the quantum computing and networking industries, announced today that it has delivered and commissioned a quantum networking system optimized for research and development to the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in Rome, New York.

The newly implemented on-premises technology introduces a dedicated quantum system based on trapped ions, aimed at supporting the research objectives of AFRL. This advanced system is anticipated to enhance precision, flexibility, and scalability, thereby contributing significantly to the advancement of quantum networking methodologies and algorithms.

“Today’s system commissioning is the culmination of a collaborative partnership between AFRL and IonQ to deliver enterprise-grade quantum capabilities today, not 10 years from now,” said Niccolo de Masi, President and CEO of IonQ. “We’re excited to continue our strong partnership with AFRL and the U.S. government as they prioritize quantum technologies and drive significant investment and research aimed at ensuring the country’s leadership in secure quantum networking and communications.”

“As the US continues to advance its quantum research and development agenda, we are committed to fostering partnerships that drive innovation and accelerate the delivery of quantum technologies,” said Michael Hayduk, Deputy Director AFRL Information Directorate. “We are excited to explore the potential of quantum computing to address complex national security challenges and drive breakthroughs in fields like materials science, and optimization. By working together with industry leaders like IonQ we aim to leverage quantum computing to enhance our nation’s competitiveness, security, and prosperity, and to ensure that the US remains at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field.”

“I proudly championed efforts to secure Rome Labs as the U.S. Air Force and Space Force Quantum Information Science Research Center, and to deliver tens of millions of dollars in federal investment to help fund state-of-the-art quantum laboratories at Rome Labs as part of the new Extreme Computing Facility and the neighboring Innovare Advancement Center. This all laid the foundation for IonQ to locate the first American-made trapped ion quantum computer at Innovare,” said US Senator Charles E. Schumer. “This next-generation quantum networking technology will help Rome Labs and the Griffiss Institute supercharge quantum R&D, catalyze new partnerships with academia and industry, bolster American national security and international competitiveness, and further establish Upstate NY as a major hub for innovation. As we celebrate today’s exciting announcement, I look forward to continuing my work with IonQ, Rome Labs, the Griffiss Institute, and Oneida County Executive Tony Picente to advance Rome Labs’ position as a global epicenter for quantum and ensure that the technology of tomorrow is developed right here in the Mohawk Valley.”

“Following my tireless advocacy to pass critical legislation that ensures the U.S. maintains a quantum technological advantage over our adversaries, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL-Rome) is now home to a functioning quantum networking system that will help the U.S. become the first nation to reach quantum advantage. I led the Defense Quantum Acceleration Act to supercharge the Department of Defense’s approach to quantum technology and advance U.S. national security building on the excellent work done by AFRL-Rome. Via the FY25 Defense Appropriations Act, I was able to secure hundreds of millions of dollars for AFRL-Rome to advance their quantum computing. It has been a privilege to bring the priorities of AFRL-Rome and Upstate New York and the North Country to the highest levels of government,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik.

Following its first AFRL contract in 2022, IonQ has since been awarded three additional contracts – one in 2023, another in late 2024 and most recently one in December of last year – with a total value of over $94.4 million. The systems that will be deployed via these contracts will help drive scalability, interoperability, and deployability of quantum computers and networks in the U.S.

This announcement follows IonQ’s recent delivery and commissioning of IonQ Forte Enterprise to its first European Innovation Center, established in partnership with QuantumBasel in Arlesheim, Switzerland. It also expands IonQ’s growing global data center footprint, which now includes locations in Washington D.C., Seattle, and Basel, Switzerland.

To learn more about IonQ and its latest system news and business developments, visit https://ionq.com/.

About IonQ

IonQ, Inc. is a leader in the quantum computing and networking industries, delivering high-performance systems aimed at solving the world’s largest and most complex commercial and research use cases. IonQ’s current generation quantum computers, IonQ Forte and IonQ Forte Enterprise, are the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems, boasting 36 algorithmic qubits. The company’s innovative technology and rapid growth were recognized in Newsweek’s 2025 Excellence Index 1000, Forbes’ 2025 Most Successful Mid-Cap Companies list, and Built In’s 2025 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Washington DC and Seattle, respectively. Available through all major cloud providers, IonQ is making quantum computing more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ.com.

IonQ Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Statements that are not historical in nature, including the words “will,” “anticipate” or “anticipated”, “advance,” “continue,” “demonstrates,” “developing,” “developments,” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those related to the expected technological advances of the system as well as its expected benefits, expected applications of IonQ’s technologies, improvements in company’s technology driving commercial advantage in the future, the ability for third parties to implement IonQ’s offerings to increase their quantum computing capabilities or achieve their objectives, communications, and networking capabilities, IonQ’s quantum computing capabilities, offerings, and plans, access to IonQ’s quantum computers, and the scalability, interoperability, deployability, and reliability of IonQ’s quantum computing offerings. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: changes in the competitive industries in which IonQ operates, including development of competing technologies; changes in laws and regulations affecting IonQ’s business; IonQ’s ability to implement its business plans, forecasts and other expectations. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company’s filings, including but not limited to those described in the “Risk Factors” section of IonQ’s most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other documents filed by IonQ from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and IonQ assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. IonQ does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250304151017/en/

IonQ Media contact:

Jane Mazur

press@ionq.co

IonQ Investor Contact:

investors@ionq.co

Source: IonQ, Inc.

FAQ

What is the value of IonQ's contracts with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory?

IonQ has been awarded contracts totaling over $94.4 million from AFRL since 2022, including four separate contracts with the most recent in December.

Where are IonQ's quantum computing data centers located?

IonQ's global data center footprint includes locations in Washington D.C., Seattle, and Basel, Switzerland.

What type of quantum system did IonQ deliver to AFRL?

IonQ delivered a trapped ion-based quantum networking system optimized for research and development purposes.

How will the AFRL quantum system deployment impact national security?

The system aims to enhance quantum networking methodologies and algorithms, supporting research in materials science, optimization, and complex national security challenges.