Lockheed Martin, Xanadu launch quantum AI push for defense edge - Interesting Engineering

Xanadu's public cloud-deployed computer (representational image)Xanadu Quantum computing firm Xanadu has launched a new research initiative with defense giant Lockheed Martin to push the boundaries of Quantum Machine Learning, or QML. The partnership will explore whether quantum systems can power new kinds of generative models that outperform classical AI in data-scarce environments. Both companies say the work could eventually influence defense, finance, and pharmaceutical research. The focus sits at the intersection of quantum theory and advanced machine learning. Rethinking quantum learning foundations The collaboration centers on generative models. These systems learn patterns in data and produce new, realistic outputs. Large language models and image generators rely on similar techniques today. However, classical generative models demand massive datasets and significant computing power. They also consume large amounts of energy. That limits their use in environments where data remains scarce or tightly controlled. Xanadu and Lockheed Martin want to test whether quantum computers can approach the problem differently. Their research will examine Fourier-based and quantum-native operations that classical systems cannot replicate. “This work is about rethinking the foundations of how quantum computers can learn,” said Christian Weedbrook, Founder and CEO of Xanadu. “By revisiting core quantum primitives, we hope to uncover entirely new ways of representing and processing data.” He added that Lockheed Martin’s experience strengthens the effort. “Lockheed Martin brings deep domain expertise that makes them an ideal teammate for this exploration. We’re thrilled to explore these ideas together and contribute to the evolving theory of quantum machine learning.” Quantum-native operations may allow models to represent information in higher-dimensional spaces. That could reduce data requirements. It may also enable new forms of pattern discovery beyond classical limits. Lockheed Martin sees potential national security implications. The company has invested heavily in advanced computing, sensing, and secure communications. “At Lockheed Martin, we are actively exploring quantum technologies that could transform computation and sensing,” said Dani Couger, Quantum Technologies Lead for Lockheed Martin. “This collaboration with Xanadu pushes the frontiers of QML and deepens our understanding of how future quantum systems may support national security and advanced technology development.” If quantum systems can exploit operations unavailable to classical AI, future tools could process information faster and with greater resilience. That may strengthen sensing platforms and data-fusion systems. It could also improve decision-support technologies. Beyond defense, the research may influence industries that rely on complex simulations. Financial modeling, drug discovery, and advanced materials research often struggle with limited data. Quantum-enhanced generative models could offer new approaches. Building long-term theory The initiative builds on Xanadu’s broader research agenda in quantum software and photonic hardware. The company has focused on practical quantum applications while advancing foundational theory. This partnership emphasizes theory first. Researchers aim to answer open questions about how quantum systems learn and generalize. That groundwork may guide future hardware and algorithm design. For now, the effort remains exploratory. Practical, large-scale quantum machine learning still faces hardware and stability challenges. But both companies argue that foundational advances today could shape tomorrow’s computational edge. As quantum computing matures, the race will not focus only on qubits. It will also center on algorithms and learning frameworks. Xanadu and Lockheed Martin now plan to test whether quantum generative models can open that next frontier. Recommended ArticlesGet the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Sign up for freeBy subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and PoliciesYou may unsubscribe at any time.0COMMENTByAamir KhollamAamir is a seasoned tech journalist with experience at Exhibit Magazine, Republic World, and PR Newswire. With a deep love for all things tech and science, he has spent years decoding the latest innovations and exploring how they shape industries, lifestyles, and the future of humanity.TRENDINGLATEST1Russia forges super strong steel to brave 1112°F for next-gen nuclear reactors2Lithium metal underlayer slashes battery first-cycle loss by 75%, boosts EV range 20%3World's largest private hypergrid nears construction after US approves clean air permit4'World-first' ammonia-fueled marine engine passes key validation test for green shipping5New microrobot swarms use whirlpools to lift objects 45,000 times heavierCheck ourSection!See AllCase StudiesCan CRISPR gene drives reinvent pest control?ResearchThe true cost and future of AIInterviewsIEEE's Tom Coughlin on why storage will decide AI's futureSpaceEx-Blue Origin engineer's startup will send 1,000 trackable memorials to orbitCase StudiesWhat it takes to electrify a highwaySubscribe toToday!Exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. 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No ads, no limits.Explore NowCase StudiesCan CRISPR gene drives reinvent pest control?ResearchThe true cost and future of AIInterviewsIEEE's Tom Coughlin on why storage will decide AI's futureSpaceEx-Blue Origin engineer's startup will send 1,000 trackable memorials to orbitCase StudiesWhat it takes to electrify a highwayMore from AI and RoboticsSee AllAI and RoboticsOpenAI eyes global domination with $110B Amazon and NVIDIA raise, value hits $840BAI and RoboticsCyborg cockroach swarms for reconnaissance tested in US and European trialsAI and RoboticsVideo: China’s next-gen humanoid robot targets smart manufacturing with agilityAI and RoboticsGoogle launches Nano Banana 2 for faster, studio-quality AI image generationAI and RoboticsSay “please” or else: New Burger King AI monitors worker manners in real timeAI and RoboticsOpenAI eyes global domination with $110B Amazon and NVIDIA raise, value hits $840BAI and RoboticsCyborg cockroach swarms for reconnaissance tested in US and European trialsAI and RoboticsVideo: China’s next-gen humanoid robot targets smart manufacturing with agilityAI and RoboticsGoogle launches Nano Banana 2 for faster, studio-quality AI image generationAI and RoboticsSay “please” or else: New Burger King AI monitors worker manners in real timeJOBSSee AllGeneral ApplicationRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobEditorRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobGeneral ApplicationRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobEditorRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobXanadu's public cloud-deployed computer (representational image)Xanadu Quantum computing firm Xanadu has launched a new research initiative with defense giant Lockheed Martin to push the boundaries of Quantum Machine Learning, or QML. The partnership will explore whether quantum systems can power new kinds of generative models that outperform classical AI in data-scarce environments. Both companies say the work could eventually influence defense, finance, and pharmaceutical research. The focus sits at the intersection of quantum theory and advanced machine learning. Rethinking quantum learning foundations The collaboration centers on generative models. These systems learn patterns in data and produce new, realistic outputs. Large language models and image generators rely on similar techniques today. However, classical generative models demand massive datasets and significant computing power. They also consume large amounts of energy. That limits their use in environments where data remains scarce or tightly controlled. Xanadu and Lockheed Martin want to test whether quantum computers can approach the problem differently. Their research will examine Fourier-based and quantum-native operations that classical systems cannot replicate. “This work is about rethinking the foundations of how quantum computers can learn,” said Christian Weedbrook, Founder and CEO of Xanadu. “By revisiting core quantum primitives, we hope to uncover entirely new ways of representing and processing data.” He added that Lockheed Martin’s experience strengthens the effort. “Lockheed Martin brings deep domain expertise that makes them an ideal teammate for this exploration. We’re thrilled to explore these ideas together and contribute to the evolving theory of quantum machine learning.” Quantum-native operations may allow models to represent information in higher-dimensional spaces. That could reduce data requirements. It may also enable new forms of pattern discovery beyond classical limits. Lockheed Martin sees potential national security implications. The company has invested heavily in advanced computing, sensing, and secure communications. “At Lockheed Martin, we are actively exploring quantum technologies that could transform computation and sensing,” said Dani Couger, Quantum Technologies Lead for Lockheed Martin. “This collaboration with Xanadu pushes the frontiers of QML and deepens our understanding of how future quantum systems may support national security and advanced technology development.” If quantum systems can exploit operations unavailable to classical AI, future tools could process information faster and with greater resilience. That may strengthen sensing platforms and data-fusion systems. It could also improve decision-support technologies. Beyond defense, the research may influence industries that rely on complex simulations. Financial modeling, drug discovery, and advanced materials research often struggle with limited data. Quantum-enhanced generative models could offer new approaches. Building long-term theory The initiative builds on Xanadu’s broader research agenda in quantum software and photonic hardware. The company has focused on practical quantum applications while advancing foundational theory. This partnership emphasizes theory first. Researchers aim to answer open questions about how quantum systems learn and generalize. That groundwork may guide future hardware and algorithm design. For now, the effort remains exploratory. Practical, large-scale quantum machine learning still faces hardware and stability challenges. But both companies argue that foundational advances today could shape tomorrow’s computational edge. As quantum computing matures, the race will not focus only on qubits. It will also center on algorithms and learning frameworks. Xanadu and Lockheed Martin now plan to test whether quantum generative models can open that next frontier. Recommended ArticlesGet the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.Sign up for freeBy subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and PoliciesYou may unsubscribe at any time.0COMMENTByAamir KhollamAamir is a seasoned tech journalist with experience at Exhibit Magazine, Republic World, and PR Newswire. With a deep love for all things tech and science, he has spent years decoding the latest innovations and exploring how they shape industries, lifestyles, and the future of humanity.TRENDINGLATEST1Russia forges super strong steel to brave 1112°F for next-gen nuclear reactors2Lithium metal underlayer slashes battery first-cycle loss by 75%, boosts EV range 20%3World's largest private hypergrid nears construction after US approves clean air permit4'World-first' ammonia-fueled marine engine passes key validation test for green shipping5New microrobot swarms use whirlpools to lift objects 45,000 times heavierCheck ourSection!See AllCase StudiesCan CRISPR gene drives reinvent pest control?ResearchThe true cost and future of AIInterviewsIEEE's Tom Coughlin on why storage will decide AI's futureSpaceEx-Blue Origin engineer's startup will send 1,000 trackable memorials to orbitCase StudiesWhat it takes to electrify a highwaySubscribe toToday!Exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.Explore NowCase StudiesCan CRISPR gene drives reinvent pest control?ResearchThe true cost and future of AIInterviewsIEEE's Tom Coughlin on why storage will decide AI's futureSpaceEx-Blue Origin engineer's startup will send 1,000 trackable memorials to orbitCase StudiesWhat it takes to electrify a highwayMore from AI and RoboticsSee AllAI and RoboticsOpenAI eyes global domination with $110B Amazon and NVIDIA raise, value hits $840BAI and RoboticsCyborg cockroach swarms for reconnaissance tested in US and European trialsAI and RoboticsVideo: China’s next-gen humanoid robot targets smart manufacturing with agilityAI and RoboticsGoogle launches Nano Banana 2 for faster, studio-quality AI image generationAI and RoboticsSay “please” or else: New Burger King AI monitors worker manners in real timeAI and RoboticsOpenAI eyes global domination with $110B Amazon and NVIDIA raise, value hits $840BAI and RoboticsCyborg cockroach swarms for reconnaissance tested in US and European trialsAI and RoboticsVideo: China’s next-gen humanoid robot targets smart manufacturing with agilityAI and RoboticsGoogle launches Nano Banana 2 for faster, studio-quality AI image generationAI and RoboticsSay “please” or else: New Burger King AI monitors worker manners in real timeWEAR YOUR GENIUSShop NowJOBSSee AllGeneral ApplicationRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobEditorRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobGeneral ApplicationRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobEditorRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobCheck ourSection!See AllCase StudiesCan CRISPR gene drives reinvent pest control?ResearchThe true cost and future of AIInterviewsIEEE's Tom Coughlin on why storage will decide AI's futureSpaceEx-Blue Origin engineer's startup will send 1,000 trackable memorials to orbitCase StudiesWhat it takes to electrify a highwaySubscribe toToday!Exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.Explore NowCase StudiesCan CRISPR gene drives reinvent pest control?ResearchThe true cost and future of AIInterviewsIEEE's Tom Coughlin on why storage will decide AI's futureSpaceEx-Blue Origin engineer's startup will send 1,000 trackable memorials to orbitCase StudiesWhat it takes to electrify a highwayMore from AI and RoboticsSee AllAI and RoboticsOpenAI eyes global domination with $110B Amazon and NVIDIA raise, value hits $840BAI and RoboticsCyborg cockroach swarms for reconnaissance tested in US and European trialsAI and RoboticsVideo: China’s next-gen humanoid robot targets smart manufacturing with agilityAI and RoboticsGoogle launches Nano Banana 2 for faster, studio-quality AI image generationAI and RoboticsSay “please” or else: New Burger King AI monitors worker manners in real timeAI and RoboticsOpenAI eyes global domination with $110B Amazon and NVIDIA raise, value hits $840BAI and RoboticsCyborg cockroach swarms for reconnaissance tested in US and European trialsAI and RoboticsVideo: China’s next-gen humanoid robot targets smart manufacturing with agilityAI and RoboticsGoogle launches Nano Banana 2 for faster, studio-quality AI image generationAI and RoboticsSay “please” or else: New Burger King AI monitors worker manners in real timeJOBSSee AllGeneral ApplicationRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobEditorRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobGeneral ApplicationRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee JobEditorRemote • RemoteNot specifiedSee Job