If your social media channels are stuffed with quantum commentary, no one gets mentioned more than IonQ. Even as Nvidia is starting to play a stronger role in the space, and giants like IBM, Google, and Microsoft command attention for every quantum step they take, IonQ is the true darling, especially beloved among investors who bought into its stock at around $5 and saw it surge above $70 at one point this week.
IonQ also is the most active M&A mover in quantum right now, bringing the company even more attention, and it recently was at the deal-making table again--this time with a sensors-related deal in its grasp. Earlier this week, IonQ announced a definitive agreement to acquire Vector Atomic, a company based in Pleasanton, California, in an all-stock deal that adds emerging quantum sensor technology to IonQ's full-stack quantum offerings.
IonQ is more known as a provider of full-scale quantum computers, QPUs, related software, and to a growing extent, quantum networking technology. Though it always has listed quantum sensing among its talents, this is probably its most significant move yet in the realm of quantum capabilities aimed at positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) applications. This includes atomic clock technology, synchronization hardware, gravimeters, and inertial sensors.
“This acquisition marks a significant acceleration and expansion opportunity for IonQ as we continue to lead the commercialization of quantum technologies,” said Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ, in a statement. “Integrating Vector Atomic’s sensing capabilities across our compute, networking, and space portfolios will advance our mission to provide scalable, commercial-grade quantum solutions for our customers today. The addition of Vector Atomic’s 29 pending and issued patents to IonQ’s formidable patent portfolio, and its talented team of scientists and engineers will help us reach our quantum technology goals.”
The deal also is a natural follow-up to IonQ’s recent move to launch an IonQ Federal unit, as Vector Atomic has secured $200M+ in government contracts and recently landed a contract for the U.S. Department of Defense’s classified X-37B orbital test vehicle project. It also supports applications for military submarine sensing capabilities. In fact, shortly after announcing the Vector Atomic deal, IonQ separately announced it had signed an agreement with the US Department of Energy "to advance the development and deployment of quantum technologies in space." That release further stated, "The agreement supports the DOE’s growing Quantum in Space (QIS) initiative and outlines IonQ’s role in demonstrating quantum ground-to-orbit-to-ground capabilities."
More generally, the government market, particularly the military, aerospace and overall defense portions of that market, has been seen as an early evaluator of quantum sensing technologies. Among other projects, Q-CTRL, another company deeply involved in quantum sensing, in July touted a demonstration with the Australian Navy.
A version of this story previously appeared at Quantum News Nexus, a new site from Fierce Electronics contributor Dan O'Shea that covers quantum computing, quantum sensing, quantum networking, quantum-safe security, and more. You can find him on X @QuantumNewsGuy and [email protected].