IonQ and Sandia team up to build quantum computers for US security

IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) and Sandia National Laboratories have formalized a collaboration with a memorandum of understanding, committing to jointly develop quantum technologies for U.S. national security. This partnership will advance quantum computing and networking capabilities at New Mexico’s Quantum Demonstration Facility, a hub for public-private innovation.

“Big breakthroughs often happen when government and industry work together,” said IonQ Chairman and CEO Niccolo de Masi, adding that such partnerships “could help shape the future of quantum technology and play an important role in our economic and national security.” IonQ and Sandia will focus on co-design efforts, building on a history that includes Sandia fabricating the ion traps for IonQ’s earliest quantum computers.

IonQ and Sandia Co-Design for U.S. National Security

A collaboration between IonQ and Sandia National Laboratories formalizes a commitment to rapidly advance quantum computing capabilities for national security applications, building upon decades of prior work between the two entities. Sandia previously fabricated the ion traps foundational to IonQ’s earliest quantum computers, establishing a long-standing technical relationship now broadened by a new memorandum of understanding.

This agreement signifies a deliberate strategy to integrate hardware and applications teams, accelerating the scaling of quantum computers and their interconnectivity. IonQ’s expanded presence in New Mexico supports a growing ecosystem dedicated to developing and deploying quantum systems, while the facility offers impartial verification of pathways toward utility-scale quantum computers, which is crucial for ensuring the reliability and performance of quantum systems intended for critical government missions.

The MOU outlines exploration of technical areas including system optimization, device development, and characterization, all aligned with U.S. “Our partnership with IonQ leverages the strengths of both organizations to accelerate innovation in quantum computing and networking,” said Toby Townsend, Associate Laboratories Director for Deterrence, Science and Energy. IonQ, a publicly traded company listed on the NYSE, brings its commercial quantum platform and foundry expertise to the collaboration, complementing Sandia’s deep knowledge of trapped-ion fabrication and silicon photonics.

Dr. Rick Muller, SVP and Chief Scientist at IonQ Federal, emphasized the expanded scope of this new partnership. “Sandia fabricated the ion traps that IonQ’s earliest quantum computers were built on, so this collaboration has a historic foundation,” he stated. “The change is in scope; we are putting our hardware and applications teams alongside Sandia’s expertise in trapped-ion fabrication and silicon photonics.” The focus on scaling and interconnectivity is particularly significant, as these are major hurdles in building practical, fault-tolerant quantum computers capable of tackling complex problems.

IonQ’s recent achievements in quantum computing performance, including a reported two-qubit gate fidelity of 99.99 percent in 2025, demonstrate the company’s technological progress. This level of fidelity is crucial for reducing errors in quantum computations, a persistent challenge in the field.

The IonQ Tempo, the company’s newest generation quantum computer, builds upon these advancements, delivering integrated quantum solutions for computing, networking, sensing, and security. Customers and partners, including Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA, have reportedly achieved a 20 times performance increase over previous quantum solutions using IonQ’s systems, accelerating innovation in diverse fields. IonQ and Sandia National Laboratories’ partnership is therefore important for continued progress in quantum computing.