The White House is directing federal agencies to revise U.S. quantum policy within 180 days, signaling an acceleration of national efforts to deploy and commercialize quantum technologies. Building on the National Quantum Initiative Act and a previous doubling of federal investment, the move aims to counter increasing international competition in a field expected to drive economic growth and national security. The administration explicitly seeks to solidify the nation’s position as the world’s quantum information science and technology leader, recognizing the potential of quantum information science and technology. According to the Executive Order, “America stands at the cusp of a quantum revolution,” and this coordinated, whole-of-government approach is intended to deliver the benefits of quantum innovation to the American people. The Secretary of War will identify at least three quantum sensor projects to prioritize for fielding by September 30, 2026.
National Quantum Strategy Updates for Ecosystem Growth
Federal agencies will revise U.S. quantum policy within 180 days, focusing on the deployment and commercialization of quantum technologies. This is not merely a continuation of existing research, but a strategic realignment designed to maintain American leadership in a field increasingly viewed as critical to both economic prosperity and national security. The move builds on the foundation laid by the National Quantum Initiative Act, increasing federal investment and responding to rapidly advancing international competition. Central to this revised strategy is a commitment to solidifying the U.S. position as the world’s quantum information science and technology leader, a claim that underscores the administration’s belief in quantum technology as a defining element of global strategic competition. Beyond basic research, the order mandates a cohesive, whole-of-government approach to translate scientific breakthroughs into tangible benefits for the American people.
A key component of this effort is the establishment of the Quantum Computer for Application Development and Discovery Science (QC-ADDS) Effort, coordinated by the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology. This national effort aims to develop a quantum computer capable of initiating a new era of scientific discovery, with a planned deployment at a Department of Energy facility and potential access for the broader scientific community. The administration recognizes the need for a robust and trusted quantum ecosystem, extending beyond computing to encompass sensing and networking. Within 60 days, the Secretary of War is tasked with identifying at least three quantum sensor projects for expedited fielding by September 30, 2026. Simultaneously, multiple agencies, Commerce, Energy, and NASA, are directed to formulate five-year plans for advancing quantum sensing and networking, prioritizing research, development, and manufacturing.
The Secretary of Commerce, for example, will focus on commercial readiness, while the Secretary of Energy will explore applications in complex systems measurement and distributed quantum computing. The Executive Order addresses the critical need to bolster domestic quantum supply chains. The Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with other agencies, will develop a plan to analyze these supply chains, encourage adoption of quantum information science and technology-related standards, and support research into quantum-enabling technologies. “Within 180 days of the date of this order,” the order states, the Secretary of War will take steps to increase domestic access to Department of Defense-sponsored quantum information science and technology-relevant foundry resources, and strengthen efforts to improve access to critical quantum information science and technology supply chains. This multifaceted approach signals a clear intention to not only innovate in quantum technology but also to control its entire lifecycle, from research and development to manufacturing and deployment, ensuring long-term American dominance in this field.
There is hereby established the Quantum Computer for Application Development and Discovery Science (QC-ADDS) Effort, which shall be coordinated by the APST.
QC-ADDS Effort: Quantum Computing for Discovery
This commitment signifies a shift toward leveraging quantum capabilities to address complex problems currently intractable for even the most powerful classical computers. Central to the QC-ADDS effort is a coordinated, whole-of-government approach, drawing on the resources and expertise of multiple agencies. The Secretary of War, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Energy, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Director of the National Science Foundation are all tasked with providing relevant capabilities, manufacturing infrastructure, and expertise to support the initiative. This collaborative spirit extends to NASA, the National Security Agency, and other relevant agencies, all working to enhance the QC-ADDS effort’s scope and impact.
Within 90 days of the order, the Secretary of Energy, in coordination with the APST and other agency heads, will publicly release a summary of the technical specifications required for a QC-ADDS to perform transformative scientific applications that are on a path towards economically significant applications and beyond current classical computer capabilities. Recognizing the substantial investment required, the administration is actively exploring public-private partnerships to accelerate the delivery of at least one QC-ADDS. Simultaneously, the Secretary of Commerce will develop a plan, potentially including advance market commitments, to encourage contributions from commercial quantum computing companies. To ensure accurate assessment of these increasingly powerful systems, a national center will be established within 180 days to develop the tools and capabilities required to accurately assess the performance of quantum computing systems, with the Co-Chairs of the Economic and Security Implications of Quantum Information Science Subcommittee recommending a mechanism for inter-agency information sharing.
This focus on evaluation is critical, as the DNI and the Secretary of War have been directed to identify the national security implications of increasingly powerful commercial quantum computers, particularly regarding the transition to post-quantum cryptography. Additionally, within 180 days of the order, the Secretary of War will identify at least three quantum sensor projects to prioritize for fielding by September 30, 2026.
Within 180 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Energy, in consultation with the Director of OMB, shall explore potential private-sector partnership models to understand the potential cost, scope, and time frame for delivery of at least one QC-ADDS as described in subsection (a) of this section.
Prioritizing Quantum Sensors for Deployment by 2026
Researchers at ColdQuanta, a leading firm in cold atom-based quantum sensors, are currently refining a portable atomic clock; this precision is driving a surge in interest surrounding the practical applications of quantum sensing technologies, and is now being prioritized by federal agencies. This focus isn’t merely academic; the potential for enhanced navigation, materials science, and medical diagnostics is rapidly attracting investment and attention. Federal investment is being doubled, reflecting a recognition that the United States must act decisively to maintain its competitive edge in this rapidly evolving field. This isn’t solely a scientific endeavor; the order emphasizes the need for a “whole-of-government approach to accelerate deployment and commercialization,” acknowledging the strategic implications of quantum technologies. Beyond the Department of Defense’s immediate focus on sensor projects, several agencies are developing five-year plans to advance quantum sensing and networking.
The Secretary of Commerce will concentrate on bolstering commercial readiness, focusing on quantum-sensor manufacturing technology and quantum-network-enhanced timing. Simultaneously, the Secretary of Energy is tasked with exploring the use of quantum sensing and imaging for complex system analysis, and leveraging quantum networking for distributed quantum computing. These coordinated efforts, as outlined in the Executive Order, aim to create a robust and interconnected quantum ecosystem, supporting both fundamental research and practical applications. The order also directs agencies to share information regarding quantum computing supply chains, including data from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, to inform government-wide decision-making and ensure a resilient domestic supply chain. The Secretary of War shall identify at least three quantum sensor projects to prioritize for fielding by September 30, 2026.
Agency Plans for Quantum Sensing and Networking
Beyond accelerating quantum computing development, the recent Executive Order prioritizes practical applications of quantum sensing and networking, signaling a shift towards tangible outcomes from substantial federal investment. Recognizing the potential for these technologies to revolutionize fields from materials science to national security, the administration is directing agencies to formulate detailed plans for deployment within specific timelines. This emphasis extends beyond fundamental research, aiming to establish a robust domestic ecosystem capable of translating laboratory breakthroughs into real-world capabilities. This aggressive timeline underscores the urgency perceived in establishing a technological advantage. NASA will extend civilian quantum sensing and networking to space-based applications, prioritizing research, development, testing, and evaluation of both applications and hardware. These agency-specific plans are not operating in isolation; the administration is actively seeking to bolster domestic supply chains for quantum technologies.
The Secretary of War will identify at least three quantum sensor projects to prioritize for fielding by September 30, 2026, further solidifying the nation’s manufacturing base. This multifaceted approach aims to ensure the United States not only invents these technologies but also manufactures and deploys them, securing a leading position in the emerging quantum landscape.
Securing QIST Leadership and National Security
The assumption that quantum technology development is a purely scientific endeavor overlooks a rapidly intensifying geopolitical dimension; while many nations pursue quantum capabilities, the United States is now explicitly framing its efforts as a competition for global dominance. This shift is evident in a recent Executive Order directing federal agencies to revise U.S. policy. Central to this revised approach is a compressed timeline for action. This updated strategy will focus on policies designed to mature the quantum information science and technology ecosystem, specifically prioritizing commercialization and deployment of quantum technologies, alongside support for the broader quantum-enabling technology base and fostering public-private partnerships. Agencies will then have an additional 30 days to outline steps aligning their operations with the revised strategy, demonstrating a commitment to rapid implementation. This is not merely about funding basic science; it’s about translating research into tangible applications and securing a competitive edge. The administration recognizes the need to proactively address national security implications, particularly concerning the migration to post-quantum cryptography as commercial quantum computers increase in scale and performance.
