DARPA and the state of Maryland announced they had reached an agreement to test and evaluate quantum computing prototypes and systems.
The Capital Quantum Benchmarking Hub is part of DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI) that will assess which quantum computing approaches, if any, can achieve an industrially useful quantum computer by 2033. The Capital Quantum Benchmarking Hub will be based at the University of Maryland’s Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security. The agreement’s goal is to evaluate quantum prototypes and systems for national security and commercial applications, officials said.
“As part of QBI, we are building the world’s largest and most qualified independent quantum computing test and evaluation team so that we can rigorously test commercial approaches to determine what’s viable and what’s hype,” Joe Altepeter, DARPA QBI program manager, said. “The Capital Quantum Benchmarking Hub will provide an additional research and testing facility for our experts to evaluate the plans and systems of the quantum computing companies that progress through the QBI program.”
Officials said the agreement will help DARPA’s benchmarking efforts by giving unbiased assessments of participating commercial companies.
While the agreement doesn’t specify funding levels, it does provide matching contributions of up to $100 million each over a four-year period. Funding will go toward activities directly supporting QBI and connected to the Capital Quantum Benchmarking Hub.
“Today, we write the next chapter in our work to make Maryland the global capital of quantum,” Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said. “This new collaboration with DARPA is about leveraging Maryland’s world-class assets to grow our economy, create jobs, and enhance our national security. Together, we will continue to drive innovation through durable partnerships that leave no one behind.”