Aquark augments networked radars with quantum-based timing in trial. Insider Brief * Aquark Technologies and partners demonstrated that quantum-based atomic clocks can synchronize networked military radars and maintain an accurate operational picture without relying on GNSS timing. * The June 2026 Royal Navy trial used two AQlock 2.0 cold-atom clocks with separate radar systems to simulate GNSS-denied and spoofed conditions. * The trial showed the radar network could operate solely on AQlock timing, degrade predictably during timing disruption and rapidly recover once synchronization was restored. PRESS RELEASE - Aquark Technologies, alongside the Royal Navy, Saab UK, Qinetiq and DSTL, successfully completed a UK trial, working with a Royal Navy ship's radar system to give accurate navigation information. The trial demonstrates the benefits of integrating quantum-based time servers with two networked radars to maintain a coherent operational picture in GNSS-denied environments. The trial took place in June 2026 using radars at Saab and Qinetiq sites with the Royal Navy's experimentation ship XV Patrick Blackett and DSTL acting as network rebroadcast nodes. It is the third trial carried out by Aquark in partnership with the Royal Navy and is a world-first demonstration of a distributed high-performance military radar network maintaining a coherent operational picture using timing sources independent from global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). New concepts of atomic clock operation explored. A time server is a device automatically serving other network elements with information on the time of day. Time servers are essential in modern defence and civilian infrastructure, as they synchronise clocks across computers, networks, financial markets, and security systems such as encryption keys and multi-factor authentication. Ensuring continuous, accurate and reliable time alignment is therefore critical to infrastructure resilience. The UK government has put the cost of GNSS outages, which cause disruption to civilian security, aviation, shipping, and financial markets, at £1.42 billion over 24 hours, or £7.64 billion across 7 days. Meanwhile, jamming and spoofing incidents have been climbing steadily in conflict-adjacent regions, with a recent investigation, built on research from the University of Texas, tracing years of unexplained GNSS blackouts across Europe to a constellation of Russian early-warning satellites. It has therefore become necessary for the defence and security industry to demonstrate that their sensor systems can operate even in the absence of GNSS signals. The purpose of this trial was to demonstrate the integration of a "quantum-based time server", a device augmented with frequency information from a cold-atom clock, such as the AQlock, with Saab's Giraffe 1X operational radar system for the Royal Navy's Disruptive Capabilities and Technologies Office (DCTO). The trial used cooperative radars, which enhance situational awareness by coordinating multiple sensors. This cooperation was enabled in part by the timing technologies - in this case, the two AQlocks. By decoupling the cooperative radars from GNSS-delivered timing, the trial provided an opportunity to explore new concepts of sensor operation. It also provided a reference time independent of GNSS availability, allowing for better situational awareness and positioning information within a contested PNT area. "This trial is a milestone in the development of UK sovereign quantum technology and a first-of-its-kind application of a UK atomic clock. It's the first known time that a pair of British built cold atom systems has been deployed in answer to a genuine defence challenge, and we're very proud to work with Saab and the Royal Navy in this way," said Matthew Aldous, Timing Lead at Aquark Technologies Technical outcomes. * Two AQlock 2.0 were delivered to two geographically separate locations and started "from cold" to an acceptable timing signal in less than 30 minutes. * Two operational radar systems were able to create a single, accurate air picture depending solely on AQlock for their timing, mimicking representative GNSS-denied and GNSS-spoofed conditions. * The trial demonstrated predictable performance degradation under timing disruption, and rapid recovery when synchronisation was re-established. * This capability provides operators a coherent view of an area, supporting quick and effective decision-making if satellite-based timing services are unavailable or cannot be trusted, especially relevant during a conflict. Andy Fraser Moore, Group Managing Director at Saab UK, said "This trial is a great example of how collaboration can accelerate innovation. By combining quantum timing technology with Saab's advanced Giraffe 1X radar system, we have demonstrated a practical capability that could help customers continue to operate effectively when it matters most." About AQlock 2.0. Aquark's work under the Royal Navy's "Quantum Optimised Radar" project commenced in December 2025 and resulted in the construction of two viable prototype cold atom clocks from scratch by the end of June 2026. AQlock is a source of time and frequency deriving its accuracy and stability from fundamental quantum mechanical effects. Based on an innovative and unique approach, these clocks represent the most robust and deployable known cold atom technology. The core of the clock depends on Aquark's own 'Super-molasses trap', which has benefits for miniaturisation and scalable deployment, and has been proven on land platforms, naval surface vessels and on an uncrewed air platform. What this trial was not. This trial is distinct from similarly-named activity happening at various research establishments around the world, most notably the University of Birmingham, whose priority is low phase-noise oscillators for enhanced doppler resolution in high-clutter environments and coherent (rather than co-operative) sensing. There is overlap between some of the use cases, but messaging around this project should focus on GNSS-independence, long-term timing performance and situational awareness around spoofing and jamming. The project is further distinct from "quantum illumination" radar types, for example as described here. These experiments are somewhat more controversial within the technical community as to a) their true feasibility at scale and b) their ultimate benefits to end users. They are arguably more "quantum" in that they explicitly use concepts such as "entanglement" but are not using the same background physics as our project. Matt Swayne. With a several-decades long background in journalism and communications, Matt Swayne has worked as a science communicator for an R1 university for more than 12 years, specializing in translating high tech and deep tech for the general audience. He has served as a writer, editor and analyst at The Quantum Insider since its inception. In addition to his service as a science communicator, Matt also develops courses to improve the media and communications skills of scientists and has taught courses. [email protected] Stay Ahead of Quantum Get the latest research, company news, and market intelligence every week. MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLE More in Research

Aquark Technologies becomes first UK firm at Niels Bohr Institute. Aquark Technologies has become the first UK company to register at the Niels Bohr Institute in Copenhagen, establishing a European entity and deepening ties with the Danish quantum ecosystem. The expansion follows the company's selection as one of 44 participants in the inaugural cohort of the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA) program, which assigned Aquark to BII Quantum Lab in Copenhagen for a six-month Phase 1 of the program alongside five other quantum companies from across NATO. As part of this growth, Aquark has also joined Quantum Denmark, a commercialization hub for quantum firms, gaining access to resources for technology development and a location within the Niels Bohr Institute. "We are thrilled to welcome Aquark Technologies into Quantum Denmark, highlighting our commitment to an enduring UK-Danish collaboration in the commercialization of quantum science and technology," said Laura Smoliar, CEO, Quantum Denmark. Aquark Technologies establishes first UK presence at Niels Bohr Institute. Aquark Technologies' decision to establish a European subsidiary in Denmark marks a significant expansion for the UK-based quantum sensing and timing specialist and is a first within the Danish quantum ecosystem. The launch of Aquark Technologies ApS also integrates the company into Quantum Denmark, a commercialization hub designed to foster a vibrant quantum ecosystem within Innovation District Copenhagen. Joining 12 existing companies from Japan, the USA, Israel, and Denmark, Aquark gains access to national quantum test centers and office space within the Niels Bohr Institute, facilitating collaboration and accelerating the commercialization of its cold-atom technology. This expansion aligns with Denmark's National Strategy for Quantum Technology, launched in, and a longstanding partnership with the UK, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding in. "Building partnerships across borders and creating resilient supply chains is how quantum technology will reach its full potential," explained Dr Alexander Jantzen, Co-Founder and COO of Aquark Technologies, adding, "Our expansion to become a European entity, based in the Niels Bohr Institute, is a natural extension of our mission to deploy quantum technologies for the benefit of all and help secure European sovereignty." This initial involvement extended into a six-month Phase 1 of the program at BII Quantum Lab in Copenhagen, where Aquark collaborated with five other quantum companies from across NATO, fostering an environment of international knowledge exchange and accelerated development. Following completion of Phase 2 of the DIANA program, Aquark further solidified its presence within the Danish quantum landscape. This expansion is not merely geographic; it is a strategic alignment with a nation widely recognized for its quantum innovation and industrialization. Aquark Technologies' recent establishment of a Danish subsidiary, Aquark Technologies ApS, marks a significant step in bolstering European quantum capabilities and represents the first time a United Kingdom-based company has registered at the Niels Bohr Institute. This move isn't simply about geographic expansion; it's a strategic integration into a thriving quantum ecosystem, building upon existing collaborations between British and Nordic research groups. Cold-Atom technology for deployable sensing and timing. Aquark Technologies' recent expansion into Denmark signifies a trend: the move from lab-bound quantum experiments to practical, deployable technologies with real-world applications. The company's focus on miniaturizing cold-atom sensing and timing hardware addresses a critical need for increased accuracy and stability in industries ranging from navigation to resource exploration. The company is now part of Quantum Denmark, a commercialization hub with 12 companies from Japan, the USA, Israel, and Denmark, providing access to national quantum test centers and bolstering a resilient quantum supply chain. Stay current. See today's quantum computing news on Quantum Zeitgeist for the latest breakthroughs in qubits, hardware, algorithms, and industry deals.