French photonic quantum computing company Quandela and Safran Tech, the research and technology arm of aerospace and defense group Safran, have announced the launch of AQeFLU, a joint research project aimed at developing quantum algorithms for modeling complex fluid dynamics in aerospace applications. The project targets computational fluid dynamics (CFD) challenges that remain difficult for classical high-performance computing, including turbulent flows in combustion chambers and propulsion systems.
According to reporting by The Quantum Insider, the AQeFLU project is backed by the PAQ Quantique programme, a funding initiative supported by the Île-de-France Region. The regional government’s involvement represents a public investment in applied quantum computing research with direct industrial relevance, linking regional economic development strategy to next-generation aerospace engineering tools.
The project’s stated goal is to reduce reliance on physical wind tunnel testing and shorten engine design cycles by enabling higher-fidelity simulations through quantum computational methods. Safran’s interest reflects the broader aerospace industry’s search for alternatives to classical CFD workflows, which can require extensive computational resources and time when simulating phenomena such as turbulence, combustion instabilities, and complex multi-phase flows.
The research teams plan to follow a phased approach. Initial work will focus on validating quantum algorithms against standardized academic benchmarks for fluid-flow problems. Once baseline performance is established, the teams intend to advance toward applied use cases specific to Safran’s defense and aerospace portfolio, including combustion modeling and propulsion system optimization.
Quandela, based in the Paris region, specializes in photonic quantum processors and has positioned itself as a key player in France’s growing quantum technology sector. Safran Tech operates as the central R&D hub for the Safran group, which manufactures aircraft engines, rocket propulsion systems, and defense electronics. The AQeFLU collaboration pairs Quandela’s quantum hardware and algorithm expertise with Safran Tech’s domain knowledge in aerospace fluid dynamics and engineering requirements.