Why DARPA Is Turning Its Attention to Quantum Manufacturing

Insider Brief

DARPA has launched the “It’s About Time” program to establish a pilot manufacturing pipeline for optical clocks.

The initiative builds on DARPA’s ROCkN and OASIC programs, which advanced compact optical clocks while developing manufacturing, testing, packaging and integration practices needed for larger-scale deployment.

IonQ, through its Vector Atomic subsidiary, will establish the manufacturing pipeline, with a production facility expected to open by mid-2027 and deliverable optical clock units planned within about a year of its completion.

DARPA is shifting more of its attention from demonstrating quantum technologies in the laboratory to figuring out how to manufacture them at scale, according to a news release from the agency.