The Australian Department of Defence announced the acquisition of quantum optical atomic clocks from Adelaide-based QuantX Labs under two contracts worth AU$2.7 million (approximately US$1.8 million) to deliver position, navigation, and timing (PNT) capabilities to the Australian Defence Force. According to a defence release, the contracts would enable AUKUS partners to develop PNT capabilities supporting decision advantage and enhanced maritime domain awareness under AUKUS Pillar II.
QuantX Labs was also set to deliver an optical atomic clock as part of a mobile test and measurement system to Defence in early 2025. The ADF planned to use the quantum clock to test and evaluate timing in critical defence hardware, including communication and navigation systems, to determine operational resilience in GPS-degraded environments.
Chief Defence Scientist Professor Tanya Monro said the investment in next-generation atomic clocks supported innovation priorities outlined in the National Defence Strategy. The clocks resulted from over seven years of R&D at the University of Adelaide’s Institute of Photonics and Advanced Sensing.