The Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator’s (ASCA) Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDT) program signed 21 contracts as part of an investment of over AU$60 million (approximately US$39 million) with Australian universities and industry partners, according to the Minister for Defence Industry. The contracts covered quantum and counter-disinformation technologies.
Among the quantum-focused recipients were Q-CTRL Pty Ltd in New South Wales for quantum hardware performance, Nomad Atomics in Victoria for high-precision quantum sensors, Analog Quantum Circuits in Queensland for superconducting quantum computing devices, and QuantX Labs. A total of 179 proposals were received from across the national science and technology ecosystem.
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy said the investment gave effect to innovation priorities in the National Defence Strategy and the Defence Innovation, Science and Technology Strategy, “Accelerating Asymmetric Advantage.” ASCA, established in April 2023, listed quantum technology among its six priority areas.