Overview

• Rigetti secured a three-year, $5.8 million Air Force Research Laboratory contract to advance superconducting quantum networking in collaboration with QphoX.
• Shares of pure‑play quantum firms rallied, with Rigetti hitting new highs as D‑Wave, IonQ, and Quantum Computing Inc. also posted strong intraday gains.
• IonQ signed a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Energy for an orbital demonstration of quantum‑secure communications using its satellite platform.
• Reports indicate the administration is preparing to expand the national quantum strategy, potentially through executive actions or a national action plan.
• D‑Wave set a 52‑week high as it highlighted an 83% bookings surge in Asia Pacific and new projects with Japan Tobacco and NTT Docomo, with a recent Fed rate cut providing an added tailwind.