Royal Navy collaborates with Southampton’s Aquark to trial new technology.
- Cold atom technology demonstrated on HMS Pursuer by Aquark Technologies.
- Successful capture of cold atoms marks a significant step for future innovations.
- Tech offers GPS alternatives, essential for degraded environments, says Commander Steele.
- Aquark secures significant funding to enhance quantum tech development.
In an effort to explore advanced technologies, the Royal Navy has partnered with a Southampton-based startup, Aquark, to trial a novel quantum technology known as ‘cold atom’ technology. This initiative seeks to provide innovative solutions for covert monitoring at sea. The trials were executed on the HMS Pursuer, a naval vessel, reflecting a growing interest within the British Armed Forces to leverage emerging technologies for gaining strategic advantages.
Aquark Technologies, renowned for its research in quantum applications, executed the successful trial showcasing the application of cold atom clocks. These devices precisely measure time by cooling atoms to temperatures approaching absolute zero, significantly enhancing the accuracy and reliability of timing mechanisms. During tests on the HMS Pursuer, Aquark’s technology continuously captured cold atoms without interruption, proving its robustness and potential for real-life applications.
Co-Founder and CEO of Aquark Technologies, Andrei Dragomir, expressed that the latest trial with the Royal Navy further demonstrated the practical applications of their technology. Following the successful flight of a quantum device on a drone, this sea trial represents a promising advancement in the development of quantum technologies. ‘The completion of this trial marks an encouraging milestone for the future of quantum technologies,’ he noted.
Commander Matthew Steele, leading future technology initiatives for the Royal Navy, highlighted the pressing need for alternative Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) capabilities. ‘Quantum technologies being developed in the UK will offer an alternative PNT capability necessary to operate effectively in GPS-denied and degraded environments,’ Steele commented. Over the forthcoming years, the Royal Navy aims to accelerate the adoption of such technologies through continued funding and rigorous sea trials, enhancing global operational capabilities.
Adding to its momentum, Aquark has recently been awarded a £3.4m contract by Innovate UK. This funding aims to boost the development of high-performance cold atom clocks, showcasing the sustained interest and investment in advancing quantum technology within the UK. This financial backing underscores the critical role such innovations will play in both commercial and military domains.
The successful sea trial of Aquark’s quantum technology highlights its potential in enhancing the Royal Navy’s operational capabilities.
