Department of War launches quantum sensing initiative to transform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance

The Department of War’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has launched a multi-phase initiative to transition mature quantum sensing and timing technologies to the Joint Force, aligning the effort with President Trump’s Executive Order, Ushering In the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation (E.O. 14411). The program is expected to invest up to $200 million over the next year.

Positioned as a pivot away from the limits of classical Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) sensors, the effort seeks to overcome the longstanding “sensitivity-SWaP” (Size, Weight and Power) trade-off. By leveraging quantum physics, the initiative aims to deliver new tiers of situational awareness for aerial, surface and subsurface missions in electromagnetically contested environments.

DIU’s focus spans high-fidelity quantum electric field sensors, magnetometers, gravimeters and tactical clocks—systems designed to be small enough for field deployment while enabling absolute precision timing and the detection of weak signals at long ranges.

“The United States Department of War must accelerate deployment and commercialization of quantum sensing to maintain superiority of knowledge of the battle space, speed of decision and operational dominance,” said Kyle Norman, who leads DIU’s quantum sensing team.

Work is organized around four Lines of Effort: electric field sensors and magnetometers; gravity gradiometers; tactical clocks; and component technology insertions. To lower costs and accelerate fielding, the Department plans to tap dual-use commercial solutions and advances from sectors such as mineral exploration, oil and gas surveying, and advanced medical imaging, and to leverage the broader U.S. and allied commercial technology ecosystem.

By committing resources at what it describes as a critical inflection point, the Department intends to signal robust demand for quantum sensing, unlock private-sector supply chains and catalyze manufacturing scale to move the technology from lab to field and into the broader economy. The goal is to enable both the Department of War and commercial markets to capitalize on quantum RF sensing and pursue global market leadership amid a future of widespread quantum sensors.

Companies are invited to submit solution briefs via the DIU portal, with proposals emphasizing differentiable innovation and ruggedness for military environments. The full solicitation, including technical metrics and submission guidelines, is available at https://www.diu.mil/work-with-us/submit-solution/PROJ00665.