U.S. Military Launches Tender for New Quantum Computing Project

U.S. military researchers are asking industry to determine whether it's possible to build a quantum computer worth more than it costs -- especially for applications that require fault tolerance. Last Friday, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) officially released a project solicitation (DARPA-PS-22-04) for an “underexplored utility-scale quantum computing system” (US2QC).

 
The main goal of the US2QC project is to determine whether a relatively unexplored approach to quantum computing can operate at a practical scale faster than conventionally predicted. Practical-scale quantum computing is the tipping point where the value of the system outweighs the cost.
 
Quantum computing attempts to use quantum mechanics to achieve giant leaps in processor performance to solve particularly difficult problems. Computer scientists have hypothesized — but not yet proven — that quantum computers will have a transformative impact on a variety of scientific and technological disciplines.
 
However, two factors make the precise impact of quantum computing unclear: In most cases, reliable comparisons of the best classical alternatives used in the real world have not been done. Second, it is unclear when or if practical-scale quantum computers will be built.
 
A fault-tolerant utility-scale quantum computer could approach or exceed the complexity of a classical supercomputer, DARPA researchers say. Proving this, however, could take years; scientists predict that practical-scale quantum computers based on conventional designs are still decades away.
 
However, the process could be accelerated if an underexplored approach to quantum computing is discovered. This is where the US2QC project comes in.

The US2QC project aims to find practical-scale quantum computer concepts through verification and validation, and a feasible path to realization in the near term.

Bidders should describe the scale, quality and configuration of their utility-scale quantum computer concept and explain why the computational value of their system may outweigh its cost.
 
Phase 0 of the project requires each performer to describe a complete concept, including all components and subsystems, expected performance against various metrics, and expected technical risks and mitigation strategies.

The concept does not envision building practical-scale quantum computers, but rather creates a component and subsystem R&D program with technical details sufficient to guide the design of fault-tolerant prototypes.
 
Performers who continue to Phase 1 will design a fault-tolerant prototype that can be built as designed from the previous phase; identify all required components and subsystems; and develop minimum performance requirements.
 
Phase 2 of the project will build utility-scale quantum computers with components and subsystems that meet expected performance specifications.
 
Interested companies should email the eight-page abstract to DARPA by March 23, 2022, at US2QC@darpa.mil. These companies may be invited to make oral presentations.

Link：

https://sam.gov/opp/6c8cffdd547b4816bb8b09e4e4448892/view