Chris McDonald
Minister of State for Science, Innovation and Investment
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Photo: Laurie Noble, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Active Mission
Quantum Mission 4: Quantum navigation
A government goal that by 2030 quantum navigation systems, including clocks, will be deployed on aircraft.
All five missions, with their official goals, related hubs and projects, are on one page: UK Quantum Mission 4 on the missions page.
Project data last updated 11 October 2026
About this project
Mission 4 is one of the five quantum missions published with the National Quantum Strategy in 2023. It says that by 2030 quantum navigation systems, including clocks, will be deployed on aircraft, giving accuracy and resilience that do not depend on satellite signals.
Innovate UK has run several competitions towards this goal. These include the Quantum Sensors and PNT Missions Primer in 2025 and two further sensing and position, navigation and timing (PNT) competitions in 2026. The March 2026 package included £205 million for quantum sensing and navigation.
Who leads it
Lead organisation
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Government · London
The government department behind the National Quantum Strategy, its five missions and the £2bn quantum package of March 2026, including ProQure.
Funders
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Government · London
In the news
Quantum Zeitgeist articles naming the lead organisation or partners. They may not be about this project.
Sir Peter Knight, The Physicist Who Helped Build Britain’s Quantum Programme, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
The theorist who taught British quantum physics to cost itself honestly, and who now chairs the board advising on a national quantum strategy worth billions.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
The UK Quantum Programme Risks Getting Lost In The Noise Of The DSIT Reshuffle, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
DSIT was abolished on 21 July and the statement announcing it never mentions quantum. The funded delivery bodies are insulated, but the Office for Quantum and its line to the prime minister are not, and that is how a national programme decoheres.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Will The UK’s New Prime Minister Sink The UK’s Quantum Industry?, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
The incoming prime minister has reportedly asked officials to draw up plans to abolish DSIT. Here is how that decision could play out for the UK quantum sector, from quiet climbdown to compound failure.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
£10M Network Launched to Coordinate UK Quantum Technology Standards, read on Quantum Zeitgeist
A £10m network launch will coordinate UK quantum technology standards, boosting British trade & leadership.
Image © Quantum Zeitgeist
Sources
Related projects
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UK Hub for Quantum Enabled Position, Navigation and Timing
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A national research hub for quantum position, navigation and timing, led by the University of Glasgow. It aims to reduce reliance on satellite signals such as GPS.
Led by University of Glasgow
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- Active Hub · 2024 to 2029
UK Quantum Technology Hub in Sensing, Imaging and Timing
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A national research hub for quantum sensing, imaging and timing, led by the University of Birmingham.
Led by University of Birmingham
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- Active Centre · 2015 onwards
Quantum Metrology Institute
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NPL's institute that provides measurement expertise and facilities for testing and validating quantum technologies.
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Themes: Timing and navigation, Sensing, Computing, Communications