Company · Farnborough
QinetiQ, the Farnborough defence research company, tests and integrates quantum sensing, timing, navigation and computing for military customers rather than building quantum hardware itself, with a focus on navigation that still works when GPS is jammed. In May 2024 its RJ100 airborne demonstrator flew Infleqtion's Tiqker optical atomic clock and a cold-atom system in trials at MoD Boscombe Down. In February 2026 it ran QinetiQAOA, its own optimisation algorithm, on OQC's Toshiko quantum computer to find the nodes whose loss would most disrupt military ad hoc radio networks, and in June 2026 it joined DSIT's Quantum Growth Alliance.
QinetiQ is a Farnborough company working on quantum sensing and defence, founded in 2001. It is a partner in 4 UK projects, including QCi3, QCS and UK Quantum Technology Hub in Sensors and Timing.
Sources: QinetiQ joins UK Quantum Growth Alliance (QinetiQ, June 2026) · Quantum navigation tech flies (Quantum Zeitgeist, May 2024) · OQC: Quantum algorithm boosts defence resilience (Quantum Zeitgeist, February 2026)
QCi3
The national research hub for quantum computing, led by the University of Oxford. It works on scalable and networked quantum computers.
Role: Partner
Funding: £21.9m
Themes: Computing, Networks, Software and algorithms
QCS
The phase 2 national hub for quantum computing and simulation, led by the University of Oxford. It ran from 2019 to 2024.
Role: Partner
Funding: £27.3m
Themes: Computing, Software and algorithms
The phase 2 national hub for quantum sensors and clocks, led by the University of Birmingham. It ran from 2019 to 2024.
Role: Partner
Funding: £28.6m
Themes: Sensing, Timing and navigation
Gravity Pioneer
An RSK-led consortium that built and tested a cold-atom gravity sensor for surveying what lies underground.
Role: Partner
Funding: £6m
Themes: Sensing
Recent articles from Quantum Zeitgeist that mention QinetiQ.
OQC’s Toshiko simulator shows their hybrid approach—combining classical AI with quantum techniques—outperforms a purely classical model in radar analysis.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Aquark augmented networked radars with quantum timing in a June 2026 trial, maintaining a coherent picture independent of GNSS.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Qtonic Quantum announced the appointment of Stephen Iwicki, a national security and intelligence leader with over four decades of experience, as Senior Advisor. He will focus on government engagement and serve on the Defense Innovation Council as the company scales its quantum risk and vulnerability
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
In the mid-18th century, the Birmingham Lunar Society, comprised of entrepreneurs, scientists, and thinkers, fostered developments like canals, the discovery of oxygen, the steam engine, and advancements in pottery. This group’s collaborative efforts essentially laid the foundation for the Industria
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Research, commercial and investment relationships, by year. Partners with a profile here are linked.
BAE Systems Quantum Commercial 2023
Recorded on BAE Systems Quantum's profile.
Quantum Security Defence Commercial 2023
Recorded on Quantum Security Defence's profile.
Dstl Research 2020
Recorded on Dstl's profile.
Chosen by shared specialisms, then location and type.
Company · London · 2 shared specialisms
Company · Southampton · 1 shared specialism
Company · Nottingham · 1 shared specialism
Company · Southampton · 1 shared specialism
Company data from Entangled Future. News from Quantum Zeitgeist. Last checked 2 October 2026.
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