A collaboration between D-Wave Quantum, Davidson Technologies, and Anduril Industries has achieved a tenfold increase in speed for solving critical U.S. air and missile defense challenges using quantum computing. Initial proof-of-concept testing, conducted on January 27, 2026, demonstrated that D-Wave’s Stride™ hybrid solver on the Advantage2™ system outperformed classical methods, delivering at least 10x faster time-to-solution and improving threat mitigation by 9-12%. This breakthrough enabled the interception of an additional 45–60 missiles in a simulated 500-missile attack. “Our collaboration with Anduril and Davidson marks an important milestone in applying quantum computing to U.S. national defense strategies,” said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave, highlighting the potential for “faster, more informed decision-making” in complex scenarios.
Anduril, Davidson, and D-Wave Quantum Collaboration for Missile Defense
A novel partnership between Anduril Industries, Davidson Technologies, and D-Wave Quantum is tackling the formidable challenges of US air and missile defense with a distinctly quantum approach. Initial proof-of-concept testing, utilizing Anduril’s simulations and Davidson’s modeling expertise alongside D-Wave’s quantum computing technology, revealed significant performance gains over purely classical methods. Benchmarks demonstrated at least a 10x faster time-to-solution when addressing complex missile-defense scenarios, a critical advantage in rapidly evolving threat environments. The collaboration didn’t just accelerate processing; it demonstrably improved outcomes.
Results showed a 9% to 12% improvement in threat mitigation, and crucially, the ability to intercept an additional 45–60 missiles during a simulated 500-missile attack. national defense strategies,” said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave, underscoring the practical implications of this advancement. Beyond immediate interception rates, the partnership is exploring broader applications. Davidson’s president and CEO, Dale Moore, explained, “Quantum computing helps identify efficiencies to expedite execution in space, missile defense and joint force operations.” The companies plan to extend their work to areas like contested logistics, cyber defense, and improved courses of action generation.
Matthew Steckman, president and chief business officer at Anduril, noted that the collaboration is focused on “augmenting advanced technologies through quantum by first pressure-testing the technology against real defense problems.” This initial success points to a future where quantum computing isn’t just a theoretical possibility, but an integral component of national security.
Stride™ Hybrid Solver Achieves 10x Faster Solution Times
A new collaborative effort is demonstrating significant gains in computational speed for critical defense applications, leveraging a hybrid quantum-classical approach. On January 27, 2026, D-Wave Quantum Inc., Davidson Technologies, and Anduril Industries announced a successful proof-of-concept project focused on U.S. air and missile defense planning. Benchmarking revealed D-Wave’s Stride™ hybrid solver, running on the Advantage2™ system, achieved at least a 10x faster time-to-solution compared to entirely classical methods when addressing complex scenarios. This acceleration is particularly notable as problem size increases, where classical solvers experience substantial performance bottlenecks.
The initial evaluation, utilizing Anduril’s defense simulations and Davidson’s modeling expertise, showed more than just speed improvements—threat mitigation also saw a positive impact. national defense strategies,” said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave. Beyond speed and accuracy, the hybrid solver’s scalability is a key advantage.
“Our collaboration with Anduril and Davidson marks an important milestone in applying quantum computing to U.S. national defense strategies,” said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave. “Our initial work together shows that annealing quantum computing can be put to use today for mission-critical applications, enabling faster, more informed decision-making for complex problems.”
Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave
9%-12% Threat Mitigation Improvement in 500-Missile Simulations
The simulations, leveraging Anduril’s defense models and Davidson Technologies’ expertise, focused on a high-intensity attack involving 500 missiles. Results revealed that traditional methods faltered as the complexity of the simulation increased, while the quantum-classical hybrid approach maintained speed and accuracy. This advancement wasn’t merely about faster processing; the team observed a tangible benefit in defensive outcomes. national defense strategies,” said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave. The team also benchmarked a greater than 10x faster time-to-solution when addressing complex scenarios, indicating a potential for real-time responsiveness. This initial success is prompting further exploration of quantum applications in areas such as logistics, manufacturing, cyber defense, and strategic planning, suggesting a broader role for quantum technology within the US defense infrastructure.
