The United States Air Force Research Lab is getting in on the quantum computing revolution. And they’re partnering up with IonQ to do it.

‍What’s happening:‍

• IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) has been awarded a new $54.5M USD contract from the United States Air Force Research Lab to design and deploy technology and hardware that can be used for quantum systems
  

Why it matters:‍

• IonQ is becoming one of the fastest growing quantum companies in the world, previously expanding their partnership with Amazon Web Services in a multi million dollar deal as well as opening the first quantum computing manufacturing facility in the United States
  
• Quantum computing is becoming a bigger area of focus in the United States of America recently, with the government of Illinois launching a partnership with PsiQuantum to develop the largest quantum computing facility in the country and universities beginning to purchase their first ever quantum computers

By the numbers:‍

• IonQ has brought in $72.8M USD in new revenue this year
  

Going deeper:‍

• IonQ has already been collaborating with the Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security to design a first of its kind quantum computing system for the Department of Defense to be able to leveraging quantum computing for defense tech and security threats
  
• The University of Maryland and IonQ also recently announced an expansion of their existing deal for providing leading edge quantum computing technology for the prestigious National Quantum Lab at Maryland

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