Defense Quantum Acceleration Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 1346
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-04-08: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2025-05-23T13:56:57Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Defense Quantum Acceleration Act of 2025 aims to speed up the adoption and use of quantum information science technologies—fields that apply quantum physics principles to handle information in ways like computing, sensing, and communication—within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). It seeks to transition these technologies from research to practical military applications to address operational challenges and enhance national security.
Key Provisions
- Establishment of Transition Activities: The Secretary of Defense must create programs to identify, develop, and implement quantum technologies that support DoD missions, such as solving problems in navigation, detection, and computing. This includes transitioning technologies from research to operational use across the Armed Forces.
- Principal Quantum Advisor Role: Within 180 days of enactment, DoD must appoint a senior official as the Principal Quantum Advisor. This advisor will:
- Coordinate quantum tech efforts, focusing on defense-specific applications.
- Identify operational challenges (e.g., in sensing, computing, communications) where quantum solutions could be more effective than traditional ones.
- Assess readiness levels of quantum solutions across DoD, other U.S. agencies, Five Eyes allies (U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand), academia, and industry.
- Start prototyping high-readiness solutions (level 5 or higher) by fiscal year 2025 and plan funding for lower-readiness ones over five years.
- Engage with military branches and combatant commands to align timelines with defense planning.
- Defined Quantum Technology Areas: Includes quantum sensing (e.g., precision navigation, detection), quantum computing (e.g., machine learning, simulations), quantum communications, and hybrid systems integrating quantum and classical tech.
- Acceleration and Engagement Efforts:
- Use DoD flexibilities in regulations, hiring, and partnerships to speed up development and deployment.
- Conduct quarterly outreach to industry and academia to share use cases, identify solutions, strengthen supply chains, and promote commercialization.
- Align with allies, especially AUKUS (Australia, UK, U.S.) partners, through joint meetings and funding coordination; also organize NATO quantum tech discussions.
- Strategic Plan: DoD must develop and submit to Congress (within one year) a five-year plan covering evaluation, resource allocation, fault-tolerant quantum computing transitions, unique defense needs, and supply chain assessments (strengths, weaknesses, threats from adversaries).
- Commercial Security Strategy: Adopt a security approach for commercial quantum tech, based on existing DoD programs, to protect sensitive applications.
- National Defense Quantum Center of Excellence: Establish a joint center with DoD labs, a National Laboratory (e.g., under the Department of Energy), research centers, and quantum companies. Activities include prototyping (prioritizing navigation/timing and sensors at readiness level 6+), workforce training, industry outreach, and integration with military needs. Authorizes $20 million annually from fiscal years 2025–2029 for this center.
- Workforce and Research Enhancements: Expand quantum education in military academies, ROTC, and other programs within one year. Each Armed Force must create procedures for workforce planning, including strategic plans and metrics.
- Budget Oversight: The Principal Quantum Advisor reviews all quantum-related budgets from military departments and agencies before final submission, certifying adequacy and reporting deficiencies to Congress and the Secretary by set deadlines.
- Definitions: Clarifies "quantum information science" as using quantum physics for information storage, transmission, manipulation, computing, or measurement; defines "Five Eyes countries."
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill amends Chapter 301 of Title 10, U.S. Code (which covers DoD organization and general military powers), by adding a new Section 4002. It introduces mandatory structures like the Principal Quantum Advisor position, a dedicated center of excellence, and budget review processes not previously specified for quantum technologies. It builds on the National Quantum Initiative Act (2018) by integrating DoD-specific requirements, such as ally coordination and defense-focused transitions, without altering broader quantum research laws.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: DoD and Armed Forces will face new coordination, planning, and reporting duties, potentially reallocating resources to quantum priorities. Other agencies (e.g., Commerce, Energy) may collaborate on the center, fostering inter-agency tech sharing. Congress gains oversight through reports on budgets and plans.
- On Citizens: Could enhance national security by improving military capabilities in areas like secure communications and advanced sensing, indirectly benefiting public safety. Workforce programs may create jobs and educational opportunities in quantum fields, expanding the U.S. tech workforce.
- On International Relations: Strengthens ties with allies via AUKUS, NATO, and Five Eyes collaborations, promoting shared R&D and supply chain resilience against adversaries (e.g., China). This could accelerate joint defense tech but requires careful handling of sensitive information sharing.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Defense and Armed Forces: Primary implementers, including leadership, labs, and combatant commands responsible for adoption and operations.
- Congress: Receives reports, plans, and budget certifications; influences funding through authorizations.
- Industry and Academia: Quantum companies, research universities, and nonprofits engaged for prototyping, supply chains, and commercialization; benefit from outreach and contracts.
- Allies and Partners: AUKUS nations (Australia, UK), NATO members, and Five Eyes countries involved in joint meetings and aligned funding.
- Federal Agencies: National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Laboratories, and others contributing to the center and strategic efforts.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Establishes enforceable timelines (e.g., 180 days for advisor appointment, one year for strategic plan) and funding mechanisms (e.g., specific budget activities for R&D), potentially leading to litigation if deadlines are missed. Authorizes appropriations without mandating them, leaving funding to annual budgets.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's Article I powers to raise armies, provide for defense, and regulate commerce (e.g., supply chains), while supporting executive oversight of military tech under Article II.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (Sens. Blackburn and Hassan) signals broad support for quantum leadership amid global tech competition. Emphasizes domestic supply chains and ally partnerships, reflecting priorities in countering adversarial advancements without explicit geopolitical targeting.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Recent Actions
- 2025-04-08: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-04-08: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Defense Quantum Acceleration Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-08 — PDF (21 pages)