Britain’s Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday that a secret laboratory is creating the country’s first “revolutionary”. Atomic clock By using Quantum technology to increase Military Intelligence and monitoring capabilities
“Military personnel will use ground-breaking quantum technology for safer and more accurate operations thanks to a new high-tech atomic clock,” a UK government press release described as “a leap forward in improving intelligence”. is
“Made in top secret. Defense Science and Technology Laboratory(Dstl) the The quantum clock It will be a leap forward in improving intelligence, surveillance and espionage by reducing reliance on GPS technologyBarriers can be erected and dissidents can be deterred, the government added in the statement.
According to official announcements, this advanced timepiece maintains accuracy to within a second over billions of years, enabling exceptional time measurement, adding that “it is the first device of its kind to be made in the UK. And will be deployed on military operations for the next five years.”
The administration explained the benefits of quantum timekeeping, including reducing reliance on an accurate independent navigation system GPS, ensuring protection from interference or attacks. Additionally, these devices provide strategic advantages in time-critical operations, including cyber warfare, where accurate timing is critical.
“Testing this emerging, ground-breaking technology can not only strengthen our operational capability, but also support industry growth, strengthen our science sector and support high-skilled jobs,” said Defense Acquisition Minister Maria Eagle. is.”
Also commenting on this “significant achievement”, Paul Hollinshead, Chief Executive of Dstl, said, “The data collected will not only shape future defense efforts, but is also a signal to industry and academia that we Quantum technologies are looking for secure and flexible operational advantages.”
Although not a world first, as the University of Colorado at Boulder collaborated with the US National Institute of Standards and Technology to build a quantum clock 15 years ago, it represents the UK’s earliest venture into the technology. The Ministry of Defense also indicated that ongoing research aims to reduce the size of the technology, enabling mass production and miniaturization for various applications, including military vehicles and aircraft.
Global organizations and governments are actively pursuing the significant benefits offered by advances in quantum technology.
In a recent development, Google has introduced a quantum computing chip that it claims will perform calculations in minutes that would take leading supercomputers 10 septillion years.
Both the US and China are investing heavily in quantum research, with the US imposing strict export controls on this sensitive technology.
Combined private and public investment in the sector reached $20 billion over the past five years, according to a statement by expert Olivier Azratti to AFP in October.