Quantum Computing Boosts Missile Defense Capabilities

D-Wave, Anduril, and Davidson Technologies claim quantum computing can intercept 45-60 more missiles in a 500-missile attack simulation.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 12:55pm

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Quantum computing companies D-Wave, Anduril, and Davidson Technologies have partnered to demonstrate that quantum computing can significantly improve missile defense capabilities. In simulations of a 500-missile attack, their quantum-enabled targeting system was able to intercept 45-60 more missiles than classical computer approaches, with a 9-12% improvement in threat mitigation and at least 10x faster time-to-solution.

Why it matters

Effective missile defense is critical for national security, especially in the face of complex, large-scale attacks. This research suggests quantum computing could be a game-changer for missile defense systems, allowing for faster and more accurate decision-making to intercept a greater number of incoming missiles.

The details

The companies simulated various missile attack scenarios, using both classical computers and D-Wave's Advantage2 quantum annealing system. While classical solvers performed well on smaller, less complex scenarios, their performance degraded significantly as the problem size grew. In contrast, the quantum-enabled targeting system maintained a significant advantage, delivering at least 10x faster time-to-solution and 9-12% better threat mitigation. This allowed the quantum approach to intercept an additional 45-60 missiles in the 500-missile attack simulation.

  • The simulation results were announced on January 27, 2026.

The players

D-Wave

A quantum computing company that developed the Advantage2 system, a 4,400 physical qubit quantum annealing machine.

Anduril

A defense technology company that partnered with D-Wave and Davidson Technologies on the missile defense simulation.

Davidson Technologies

A defense and aerospace engineering company that collaborated with D-Wave and Anduril on the missile defense simulation.

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What they’re saying

“Our collaboration with Anduril and Davidson marks an important milestone in applying quantum computing to U.S. national defense strategies. Our initial work together shows that annealing quantum computing can be put to use today for mission-critical applications, enabling faster, more informed decision-making for complex problems.”

— Alan Baratz, CEO, D-Wave (D-Wave press release)

“This agreement marks a significant milestone in D-Wave's annealing quantum computing enterprise adoption and impact. No other company in the world has production-grade quantum technology in the market today, and this agreement is inarguably one of the most significant endorsements of how our solutions stand to benefit the world's leading companies.”

— Alan Baratz, CEO, D-Wave (D-Wave press release)

What’s next

The companies plan to continue testing and integrating the quantum-enabled missile defense system into real-world command and control systems to further validate its capabilities.

The takeaway

Quantum computing has the potential to revolutionize national defense strategies, providing a significant advantage in complex, time-sensitive scenarios like large-scale missile attacks. This research demonstrates the power of quantum computing to enable faster, more accurate decision-making that could save lives and protect critical infrastructure.