D-Wave Systems to Add Capacity in Lockheed Quantum Computers

Quantum computing company D-Wave Systems will work to double the capacity of computers it has provided to Lockheed Martin since 2010 under a new agreement between both companies.

D-Wave said Monday it will aim to update Lockheed’s 512-qubit D-Wave Two computer to the new D-Wave 2X system built with more than 1,000 qubits of storage.

Lockheed purchased the D-Wave One system in 2010 with 128 qubits of capacity and moved up to the D-Wave Two computer in 2013.

The aerospace and defense contractor operates the D-Wave computer at the University of Southern California’s information science institute for projects that aim to solve complex computational problems related to evaluations of software, vehicle plans and schedules.

“Our mission is to solve complex challenges, advance scientific discovery and deliver innovative solutions to our customers, which requires expertise in the most advanced technologies,” said Greg Tallant, a Lockheed fellow and leader of the USC-Lockheed Martin Quantum Computation Center.

The QCC is located in USC’s information sciences institute and will host the new system, which D-Wave expects to complete work on in January 2016