{"id":13361,"date":"2021-04-16T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-16T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/uncategorized\/2021\/04\/16\/senators-push-quantum-computing-at-dod\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T17:56:13","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T17:56:13","slug":"senators-push-quantum-computing-at-dod","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/c4isrnet\/battlefield-tech\/it-networks-battlefield-tech\/2021\/04\/16\/senators-push-quantum-computing-at-dod\/","title":{"rendered":"Senators push quantum computing at DoD"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2015 America\u2019s and the Pentagon\u2019s race to harness a new generation of powerful quantum computers <\/a>could get a boost from a bipartisan pair of senators, fueled in part by a fear of growing competition with China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Legislation set to be introduced Friday in the Senate is intended to improve Defense Department\u2019s workforce in the highly specialized computing field. It\u2019s aimed at improving pipelines for the military with the private sector and for students graduating with quantum-related degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The proposed bill is also intended to add Defense Department research efforts into the National Quantum Initiative, a program Washington established in 2018 to accelerate quantum research and development. The initiative is already made up of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Science Foundation and Energy Department.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Powerful quantum computers pose a danger to national security out of a fear they may be able to break current encryption capabilities, meaning secure communications under current systems will be nearly impossible. On the flip side, adversaries with quantum capabilities will be able to communicate securely without fear of interception by the U.S., unless it achieves its own quantum computer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two bills from Sens. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., and John Thune, R-S.D., are the QUANTUM for National Security Act, which would impact the Pentagon, and the Quantum Network Infrastructure and Workforce Development Act.<\/p>\n\n\n