A bipartisan pair of senators is pushing the Department of Defense (DoD) to provide more information on its efforts to advance quantum sensing technology – something the senators note is necessary to protect U.S. national security and outpace potential threats from China.
In an Oct. 3 letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., explain that quantum sensing technology – such as advanced navigation, radar, and sonar technology – can offer “precise navigation” and “a valuable alternative to GPS.”
“The United States must continue to maintain its technological and military edge over foreign adversaries – especially China,” the senators wrote. “To ensure that the United States maintains its technological advantage, DoD must have a strategic plan to integrate quantum sensing into our national security efforts.”
The senators pointed to a report published last month by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), which found that China roughly matches the United States in the development of quantum sensing technology.
Additionally, the report revealed that China leads in some areas of quantum – such as quantum communications – and outpaces the United States in public quantum funding.
Sens. Hassan and Blackburn want answers to a number of questions to see what DoD is doing to advance its quantum sensing technology.
For instance, the senators want to know the current breakdown of quantum sensing efforts within DoD, the current internal coordination process for DoD efforts related to quantum sensing, and what emerging threats DoD has identified that quantum sensing may play a role in addressing.
They also want to know how DoD is coordinating its quantum sensing efforts with other Federal agencies, including the Department of Energy and the National Labs, the Department of Commerce, the National Science Foundation, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
The senators also want a breakdown of DoD’s strategic plan to advance quantum sensing in national defense. Additionally, they’re requesting information on “the current state of DoD efforts to use quantum sensing technology to advance alternative precision navigation and timing; undersea or underground detection; and advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance imaging.”
Finally, Sens. Hassan and Blackburn want to know what the DoD needs from Congress to support, sustain, and accelerate its quantum sensing technology.
The senators want a response to their questions no later than Nov. 15.
