Quantum News Nexus

QuSecure, which for several years has been engaged with various parts of the US government on quantum-safe security projects, announced its was tapped AFWERX, the innovation unit of the US Department of the Air Force (DAF), for a $3.9 million Small Business Innovation Research Tactical Funding Increase (SBIR TACFI) contract.

The San Mateo, California, company described the contract as being focused on “Quantum-Resilient Encryption for Special U.S. Air Force (USAF) Missions” to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force.”

The most recent announcement came just days after QuSecure landed a SHIELD IDIQ contract related to the federal government’s “Golden Dome” initiative, QuSecure has won numerous SBIR contracts from the federal government, including a $1.2 million SBIR award in January 2025.

“This TACFI award advances QuSecure’s work with Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) to provide cryptographic resilience in support of the strategic deterrence mission,” said Patrick Shore, Director of Strategy, Government at QuSecure. “AFGSC operates some of the nation’s most enduring platforms, including the B-52, where secure communications and trusted cryptography are critical for mission success. Our objective is to mature the technology in preparation for procurement and long-term sustainment to meet AFGSC mission needs.”

The company stated that the latest contract keeps it on track “to pursue Impact Level 6 (IL6) authorization, with QuProtect R3 [the firm’s modular, crypto-agile architecture] targeted for availability for deployment in classified cloud environments by Q3 2026. Achieving IL6 would enable Department of War mission owners and other U.S. Government agencies to deploy quantum-resilient cryptographic infrastructure in support of mission operations.”

This year is likely to be a very busy one for various US government departments and agencies making progress on adopting quantum-safe security technologies, such as post-quantum cryptography. As QuSecure co-founder and CEO Rebecca Krauthamer recently told Quantum News Nexus, the National Security Agency’s Commercial National Security Algorithm Suite 2.0 effort has been driving government teams to start their quantum-safe security upgrades, and those groups face some key CNSA 2.0 deadlines this year.

AI-generated image from freepik

Quantum News Nexus is a site from freelance writer and editor Dan O’Shea that covers quantum computing, quantum sensing, quantum networking, quantum-safe security, and more. You can find him on X @QuantumNewsGuy and doshea14@gmail.com.