Zapata Computing, L3Harris Deliver Quantum Computing Scenarios to DARPA

Boston-based software company Zapata Computing and L3Harris Technologies have delivered 30 quantum computing challenge scenarios to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to help the government determine how the technology can support various use cases.

The quantum scenario delivery is part of a $7.3 million DARPA contract that requires the companies to develop quantum computing benchmarks from real-world computational challenges. The goal is to identify how quantum technologies can support various sectors, such as defense, chemistry and machine learning.

Zapata said some of the scenarios focus on materials creation, fluid dynamics and engineering design optimization, HPCwire reported.

Zapata and L3Harris are leading a team of companies under the DARPA contract. The other companies involved include BBVA Corp., Mitsubishi Chemical and Copernic Catalysts.

The U.S. government sees value in quantum technologies and has been ramping up efforts to study the technology.

In mid-April, the Argonne National Laboratory opened the Argonne Quantum Foundry research facility, designed to make quantum materials more accessible to researchers. In February, the DARPA selected three companies to propose utility-scale quantum computers that could make quantum computing more reliable.