The US Navy has a long wish list of applications for quantum computers, ranging from basic science 鈥� understanding corrosion, a fleet鈥檚 constant enemy 鈥� to more intriguing uses like war game simulations. Although quantum computers have rapidly improved in recent years, they are not yet capable of all these tasks, but that hasn鈥檛 stopped the military from dreaming up ways to use them.
鈥淲e are committed to the axiom that whatever legacy model is now successful will lead to [our] demise if it does not evolve,鈥� said Rear Admiral . He enumerated many possible quantum applications in a panel at the Q2B conference in Santa Clara, California, on 10 December.
One of them may be running more advanced war games, or simulations of war situations. The US Naval War College, for instance, runs more than 50 gaming events per year, which largely rely on legacy computer programs. Using their quantum versions would make it possible to simulate more complex scenarios at a higher level of detail, said Seif.
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Similarly, using quantum algorithms may improve the way the US Navy simulates the weather and how it develops 鈥渄igital twins鈥�聽of key environments, such as the sea surrounding its nuclear submarines, he said. However, the development of this type of simulation is currently in its very early stages. The simulations would rely on conventional supercomputers to run quantum computers, a combination that researchers do not expect to become practical for several years.
Quantum computers could also help with less flashy but equally vital logistics problems, such as optimising supply chains and developing maintenance schedules for craft like submarines. Seif said maintenance currently follows a preset calendar, but quantum algorithms may be able to produce a more flexible schedule, informed by actual conditions in the field, that enables as many submarines as possible to remain active simultaneously.
This type of problem is an area where quantum computers excel because of the way they get programmed: the quantum effects that these devices rely on make it simple to encode optimisation algorithms. Some quantum computing companies are already providing this type of service to and grocery companies that are trying to optimise their workers鈥� schedules.
On an even more basic level, all seagoing vessels are vulnerable to corrosion, an ongoing problem that quantum computers could help study 鈥� if they become sufficiently powerful. That鈥檚 because the final state of the corroded material is dictated by the behaviour of individual molecules, which follow quantum processes that could be captured by a quantum device.
Computers are not the only quantum technologies under consideration. Quantum sensors and communication methods may be even closer to practical use.
Seif said that quantum sensing, which offers a lot more precision than classical sensors, may play a role both in detecting adversarial craft and helping US submarines determine their position without relying on GPS. The US Department of Defense has invested in the development of quantum sensors.
And quantum communication, which would enable nearly unhackable transfers of information between ships, is garnering interest from multiple branches of the US military. Some, like the Air Force, already have small experimental quantum communication networks.
Ultimately, however, quantum technology may be too early in development for the US Navy to focus on a single use case, said Seif. 鈥淚f we鈥檙e being honest, we have this catch 22 of being asked, 鈥榃hat do you need?鈥� and answering with, 鈥榃hat can you do?鈥欌�� he said.
