Australian quantum clocks successfully trialled under AUKUS Pillar II

Four Australian‑developed quantum technology clocks have been successfully trialled in the United States, as part of Defence’s $2.7 million investment towards these AUKUS Pillar Two capabilities.

Held over a six-week period in Washington D.C., the trials saw Adelaide‑based QuantX Labs and the University of Adelaide each contribute two quantum clocks, which were tested by AUKUS partners under various environmental conditions to evaluate their performance and potential for defence applications, including communication and navigation systems.

Quantum clocks are used to assure the synchronisation of communications networks, detect GPS spoofing and jamming, and provide reliable position, navigation and timing in contested environments. Integrating this technology into AUKUS partners’ militaries will enhance the ADF’s ability to operate in environments where GPS navigation is unreliable or unavailable.

“Australian industry has long been at the forefront of quantum technology,” said Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry. “This collaboration harnesses expertise and experience from AUKUS partners and leverages emerging technologies to deliver the capabilities our militaries need.

“Through AUKUS Pillar II, we are achieving capability development faster than any one of our nations could achieve alone.”

These world‑leading clocks have been developed in Adelaide through $2.7 million in Defence contracts, in conjunction with the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), and sovereign industry and academic partners.

The Australian quantum clocks utilise unique, sovereign technology, complementing the advanced portable clock technologies of other nations. The University of Adelaide-built portable optical atomic clock uses warm Ytterbium vapour – the only such example of this on the path to commercialisation anywhere in the world.

QuantX is implementing a portable optical atomic clock with Rubidium using a two-colour two-photon (rather than two photons of the same colour) approach based on unique, patented Australian intellectual property.

The outcomes of the quantum clock trial will be shared among AUKUS partners to inform analysis of how quantum clocks may be used in future defence operations.

Quantum technology will play a vital role in the future of the Australian Defence Force, as identified in the 2024 National Defence Strategy and the Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy.