The United Kingdom’s defence ministry announced Thursday that a secret laboratory is creating the nation’s first “revolutionary” atomic clock using quantum technology to enhance military intelligence and surveillance capabilities.
“Military personnel will use groundbreaking quantum technology to conduct more secure and precise operations, thanks to a new high-tech atomic clock,” stated the UK government’s press release, describing it as “a leap forward in improving intelligence.”
“Developed at the top-secret Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, (Dstl) the quantum clock will be a leap forward in improving intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance by decreasing the reliance on GPS technology, which can be disrupted and blocked by adversaries,” the government added in the statement.
According to official announcements, this advanced timepiece maintains accuracy within one second over billions of years, enabling exceptional temporal measurements, adding that “It is the first device of its kind to be built in the UK and will be deployable on military operations in the next five years.”
The administration elaborated on quantum timekeeping advantages, including accurate independent navigation systems reducing GPS dependence, ensuring protection against interference or attacks. Additionally, these devices provide strategic advantages in time-critical operations, including cyber warfare, where precise timing is crucial.
“The trialling of this emerging, groundbreaking technology could not only strengthen our operational capability, but also drive progress in industry, bolster our science sector and support high-skilled jobs,” said the minister for defence procurement Maria Eagle.
Also commenting on this “significant achievement”, Dstl’s Chief Executive, Paul Hollinshead, said, “The data gathered will not only shape future Defence effort but is also a signal to industry and academia that we are serious about exploring quantum technologies for secure and resilient operational advantage.”
Whilst not a global first, as the University of Colorado at Boulder collaborated with the US National Institute of Standards and Technology to create a quantum clock 15 years prior, this represents Britain’s initial venture into this technology. The defence ministry also indicated that ongoing research aims to reduce the technology’s size, enabling mass production and miniaturisation for various applications, including military vehicles and aircraft.
Global organisations and governments are actively pursuing the significant advantages offered by quantum technology developments.
In recent developments, Google introduced a quantum computing chip claiming to perform calculations in minutes that would require leading supercomputers 10 septillion years.
Both the United States and China are making substantial investments in quantum research, with the US implementing strict export controls on this sensitive technology.
According to expert Olivier Ezratty’s October statement to AFP, combined private and public investment in this field reached $20 billion over the previous five years.
