Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

IonQ, the leader in the quantum computing and networking industries, made three important announcements on the same day last week.

1. The College Park, MD-based company which has a strong and growing presence in Chattanooga, announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Oxford Ionics, a quantum computing company based in the United Kingdom. The transaction accelerates IonQ’s technology roadmap for more powerful, high-fidelity quantum computers, and supports the company’s expansion into the UK, Europe, Asia, and other global markets.
2. Also, IonQ announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Vector Atomic, a pioneer in advanced quantum sensors for positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) applications. Vector Atomic has secured more than $200 million in government contracts and delivers critical U.S. federal and national security applications.
3. Finally, announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to advance the development and deployment of quantum technologies in space. The agreement supports the DOE’s growing Quantum in Space (QIS) initiative and outlines IonQ’s role in demonstrating quantum ground-to-orbit-to-ground capabilities. The initiative builds on IonQ’s acquisitions of quantum networking pioneer Qubitekk in late 2024, and space technology company Capella in 2025. IonQ is the only U.S. quantum computing company currently delivering commercial quantum networking systems, including installations with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory and the EPB Quantum Center^SM in Chattanooga.

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