DARPA Selects IonQ for Next-Generation Atomic Clock Production, Extending Contract by $28M to Supply 125 Units to U.S. Government

August 17, 2026

IonQ USA

Overview

IonQ secured a $28 million contract extension through DARPA’s “It’s About Time” program to produce next-generation atomic clocks. Under this agreement, IonQ will advance the scalable production of its Evergreen-05 optical atomic clocks, supplying 125 units to U.S. government customers. These clocks are designed for mission-critical applications such as radar, secure communications, and precise positioning, representing a significant technological advancement for national security.

In Depth

Key Findings

IonQ has been awarded a $28 million contract extension through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)’s “It’s About Time” program. This contract positions IonQ as a key producer of next-generation atomic clocks, specifically tasked with supplying 125 high-precision units to U.S. government clients.

Technical / Clinical Details

Under this extended contract, IonQ will further develop the scalable production capabilities for its Evergreen-05 optical atomic clock. The Evergreen-05 is based on advanced optical lattice clock technology, which offers significantly higher precision than traditional cesium atomic clocks. This optical atomic clock combines quantum interferometry techniques with ion-trap technology to provide exceptionally stable timekeeping references. The 125 units supplied are designed for various mission-critical applications, including enhancing radar system accuracy, establishing secure military communications, and developing precise Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) systems independent of GPS. These clocks are expected to achieve timekeeping accuracy at the 10^-18 level, outperforming existing atomic clocks by several orders of magnitude.

Background & Context

Precise time synchronization is indispensable for modern defense, communication, and navigation systems. Existing GPS systems face vulnerabilities, driving the demand for more robust and autonomous PNT solutions. Atomic clocks are core to these PNT systems, and their accuracy directly impacts national security. DARPA’s “It’s About Time” program supports the development and practical implementation of innovative atomic clock technologies to address this challenge. IonQ’s expertise in precision control, honed through its ion-trap quantum computing work, provides a significant advantage in advancing the high precision and mass production of optical atomic clocks.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

The contract extension with DARPA demonstrates that IonQ’s technology is recognized for its value not only in quantum computing but also across a broader range of quantum technology applications. The production of high-precision atomic clocks will not only diversify IonQ’s revenue streams but also further strengthen the prominence of ion-trap technology as a foundational technology for quantum computing systems. In the future, next-generation atomic clocks like the Evergreen-05 are expected to find applications beyond defense, including scientific research, financial transactions, and power grid synchronization, marking a significant step towards accelerating the societal implementation of quantum technologies.

Source: https://www.ionq.com/news/darpa-selects-ionq-to-produce-next-generation-atomic-clocks

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