UPDATED: DARPA Selects IonQ to Produce Next-Generation Atomic Clocks

Under the DARPA It’s About Time program, IonQ will accelerate production and deliver 125 Evergreen-05 optical atomic clocks to U.S. government customers; this release is a clarification of the release issued earlier today

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

This $28 million award is a modification to its existing DARPA agreement, and this modification will cover manufacturing development and 25 Evergreen-05 clocks. A further $30 million option, not yet exercised, would cover an additional 100 clocks, for a combined value of up to $58 million.

Evergreen-05 Atomic Clock Performance

Originally developed under DARPA’s Robust Optical Clock Network program, IonQ’s Evergreen-05 is a compact, fully integrated optical atomic clock with a 5-liter, shoe box-sized form factor. It delivers timing stability of 50 femtoseconds at one second and nanosecond holdover over 10 days–projecting to a timing error of less than one second over 30 million years.

Program Background

DARPA’s support for the core Evergreen-05 technology began in 2019, when it funded an initial effort for Vector Atomic, then a year-old startup in Pleasanton, California. IonQ acquired Vector Atomic in October 2025 to expand its capabilities into quantum position, navigation, and timing.

Executive Perspective

"We added Vector Atomic to the IonQ family because their clocks and sensors are the best in the world," said IonQ Chairman and CEO Niccolo de Masi. "DARPA’s investment under the It's About Time program confirms that we made the right choice."

"DARPA has been a partner every step of the way. That initial support was critical to prove the core concepts of our clock," said Marty Boyd, director of IonQ’s timekeeping division and co-founder of Vector Atomic. "We joined IonQ to accelerate and scale up delivery of our commercial products, and DARPA's continued support gives us the opportunity to do that."

Production Investment

To support Evergreen-05 delivery, IonQ will invest $15 million in dedicated production space, advanced manufacturing and test equipment, and support staff.

About IonQ

Note to Investors Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

IonQ Media Contacts:
Cheryl Krauss
[email protected]

Tor Constantino
[email protected]

IonQ Investor Contact:
[email protected]

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