Quantum Information Science (QIS) is potentially a game-changing technology for the future military operational environment. Being significantly dependent on the capabilities of current quantum computers, it is still very immature; however, evolving rapidly and increasing the technical and knowledge potential of industrial and state actor players that invest in it. Investing in this technology can lead the NATO Alliance to gain quantum superiority and outperform its adversaries in technological development in diverse military domains. This article presents possible applications of QIS in the military domain in the form of use cases. We have formulated these use cases after analysis of today's capabilities of quantum computing technology and its prospects for the future of the quantum information domain. Our article concludes with initial recommendations for the early adoption of quantum technology. This paper was presented at the NATO Science and Technology Organization Symposium (ICMCIS) organized by the Information Systems Technology (IST) Panel, IST-200 RSY - the ICMCIS, held in Skopje, North Macedonia, 16–17 May 2023.
Quantum Information Science (QIS) is potentially a game-changing technology for the future military operational environment. Being significantly dependent on the capabilities of current quantum computers, it is still very immature; however, evolving rapidly and increasing the technical and knowledge potential of industrial and state actor players that invest in it. Investing in this technology can lead the NATO Alliance to gain quantum superiority and outperform its adversaries in technological development in diverse military domains. This article presents possible applications of QIS in the military domain in the form of use cases. We have formulated these use cases after analysis of today's capabilities of quantum computing technology and its prospects for the future of the quantum information domain. Our article concludes with initial recommendations for the early adoption of quantum technology. This paper was presented at the NATO Science and Technology Organization Symposium (ICMCIS) organized by the Information Systems Technology (IST) Panel, IST-200 RSY - the ICMCIS, held in Skopje, North Macedonia, 16–17 May 2023.
Winning is much easier if you have an edge, whether that be better personnel, strategy, and/or technology. Quantum Information Science (QIS) - which includes quantum sensing, networking, communications, and computing - provides a technology that both tactical and strategic commanders will leverage to seize the initiative and create positions of advantage. Optimizing the exploitation of quantum technology will require that senior leaders understand enough about the technology and its fast-evolving applications to outmaneuver and outthink our adversaries. This does not require expertise in all facets of QIS, any more than a computer user needs to know computer design. This article attempts to be an introduction to quantum technology and some of its potential uses in the military operational environment.
Quantum technologies are rapidly moving from scientific research into the arenas of commercialisation and strategic competition, with significant implications for defence and security. While their full military impact may unfold over time, developments in quantum sensing, computing, and communications are already shaping national strategies, industrial ecosystems, and future capability planning. The growing competition among major technological powers highlights the need to act on both the opportunities and risks associated with quantum technologies. Quantum technologies have the potential to enhance military capabilities across domains, from resilient positioning, navigation, and timing to advanced sensing, computing, and secure communications. At the same time, they introduce new vulnerabilities, including risks to current cryptographic systems, supply chains, and technological dependencies. For NATO, the debate is therefore no longer whether quantum technologies matter, but how quickly the Alliance can adopt, operationalise, and secure them before strategic competitors gain asymmetric advantages. This article argues that NATO must pursue a two-track approach: first, fostering quantum innovation, experimentation, and operational adoption across the Alliance; and second, protecting its technological edge, supply chains, critical infrastructure, and security interests against emerging quantum-enabled threats. Achieving a quantum-ready Alliance will require close cooperation among Allies, industry, academia, and NATO entities to translate technological progress into secure and operationally relevant capabilities.
In today's information-based society, computer technology is developing rapidly, and thus the speed of operations is increasing exponentially. Fast and dynamic information processing has become one of the basic needs of countries and their organizations. Furthermore, higher levels of info-communication technologies can also be detected. In the field of computing, quantum computers are becoming more and more popular, and their current development process is particularly intense, which in turn has triggered a kind of competition between the countries interested in the subject. The estimated future usability of quantum computers for humans is currently being outlined. Regarding to the new computing capabilities, quantum informatics is closely related to artificial intelligence and military forces can gain unprecedented information superiority through the development.
Quantum technology is an emerging and possibly revolutionary field, capable of impacting several human efforts. Quantum technologies are dual-use, attracting interest from the defense, security, military, and governmental sectors. Previous research has highlighted the substantial benefits of using quantum computing systems across several domains. These systems have previously exhibited the capability to accelerate processing in critical domains, such as big integer factorization, relative to their traditional equivalents. The fundamental significance of quantum factoring has been proven for cryptography. This will render RSA encryption, a widely used encryption method based on the inability of computer systems to factor huge integers, effectively useless. Nonetheless, overcoming encryption is not the only potential use or benefit of quantum computing for national defense and security-related objectives. This review paper explores the emerging role of quantum computing in the military and defense sectors. It highlights the significance of recent advancements in quantum technologies for defense applications and provides an overview of defense-focused quantum research. A comprehensive literature survey examined various existing quantum computing techniques relevant to military use. The paper also presents a comparative analysis of these approaches, discusses key challenges, and outlines potential future directions in this rapidly evolving field.
The rapid development of quantum technologies opens up new opportunities for the military sphere, inparticular in the fields of cybersecurity, communications, navigation, intelligence and modelling of complex combatscenarios. The article analyses the current state of research in the field of quantum computing, quantum cryptography,quantum sensors and sensors, as well as their potential application to increase the combat capability of the ArmedForces of Ukraine. The possibilities of using quantum algorithms to solve complex optimization problems that can beuseful in military logistics, military resource management and threat forecasting are considered.Particular attention is paid to the prospects for the implementation of quantum technologies to create securecommunication channels that prevent unauthorized interception of information, as well as for the development of newnavigation systems that do not depend on satellite signals and are capable of operating in electronic warfareconditions. The paper also examines the main challenges facing the introduction of quantum technologies into themilitary sphere, in particular technical, financial and organizational barriers.Based on the analysis, key areas of further research have been identified that will contribute to the effectiveintroduction of quantum technologies into the defense sector of Ukraine. Approaches to creating an innovative strategyfor the development of quantum technologies in the military sphere, which involves both scientific research and thepractical implementation of their results in military information systems, communication systems and intelligencemeans, have been proposed.
Quantum technology is an emergent area with the potential to be disruptive and ability to affect many human activities. Quantum technologies are dual-use technologies, and as such, they are the subject of interest for the defence and security industry and military and governmental actors. This report aims to review and map the possible quantum technology military applications to serve as the entry point for international peace and international security assessment, ethics research or military and governmental policy, strategy and decision making. Quantum technologies for military applications, introducing new capabilities, increasing effectiveness and improving precision lead to 'quantum warfare', wherein new military strategies, doctrines, policies and ethics should be established. This report provides a basic overview of quantum technologies under development where the expected time scale of delivery or utilisation impact are estimated. The particular applications of quantum technology for the military are described for various warfare domains (e.g., cyber, space, electronic, underwater warfare, or intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance), and related issues and challenges are articulated.