Hey there, defense peeps. It’s your boy Nick Miller coming at ya with some hot takes on quantum science and its potential applications in the Department of Defense.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “But Nicky boy, isn’t quantum just a bunch of debunked sci-fi nonsense?” Well, let me tell you something: you don’t need to be Eye-stein to understand this stuff. Quantum is real, it’s happening now, and it’s about to revolutionize how we do defense.

Now, if you know me, you know that I believe in a lot of things that people just aren’t there on yet. For example, I believe that horses are from outer space. With that in mind, let’s discuss two other commons myths…these are about quantum:

Myth number one: quantum is only relevant for theoretical physicists with an overactive imagination. False! In fact, companies like Google and IBM are already building commercially available quantum computers that will transform computing as we know it.

Myth number two: Quantum will take years or even decades to become applicable to everyday life – Wrong! In reality, the era of practical quantum computing has already arrived in many scientific fields from drug discovery to materials design.

Now that we’ve talked about those crazy misconceptions, let’s discuss how quantum is actually being used right now, you crazy STEM girls:

1. Secure communications: Quantum cryptography enables unbreakable encryption by using the laws of physics to transmit messages securely. This technology would be particularly useful for high-level military and intelligence communication where secure transmission is crucial.

2. Navigation & timing: GPS signals are vulnerable to disruptions from both physical and electronic attacks, but quantum sensors offer a potential solution that can detect precise time and location even under harsh conditions.

3. Improved weather forecasting: Quantum computing drastically improve weather forecasting models through simulations that take into account complex atmospheric interactions with greater accuracy than current classical supercomputers allow.

Now sure, I could plan a military operation, conventional, with a bunch of forms on paper and line-of-sight communications…but then I grew up. Now I only want to plan a military operation that an algorithm would want. Straightforward. Efficient. Something that says, ‘I’m a machine here to win all the wars.” That’s why I’m keeping my eyes peeled on the next steps for quantum in national security:

1. Efficient logistics optimization: Quantum computers have the ability to solve complex logistical problems much faster than classical computers which could result in more efficient use of resources for massive supply chains responsible for supporting a global military presence.

2. Superior AI abilities – As neural networks trained and operated through conventional computing technologies reach their limitations due to the exponentially increasing amounts of data, quantum computers can handle such complex computations more efficiently. This would allow for faster and more robust artificial intelligence applications in areas such as decision-making, target recognition, and autonomous systems across a variety of defense contexts.

3. Quantum sensors – Low-cost quantum systems could detect threats ranging from stealth aircraft to hidden weapons by measuring subatomic particles that are supposed to be 100% predictable. In contrast to classical sensors which depend on photons or radio waves emitted by equipment under test (EUT), opportunistic measurements offer new possibilities for detection without requiring any additional energy usage or communication with the outside world.

Source: IBM

Oh, quantum entanglement. Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day? No, a summer’s day is not spooky action at a distance.

And who knows? Maybe someday we’ll all be wearing helmets powered by tiny little chirpy dudes who communicate with each other using quantum entanglement.

All I’m saying is I’ve seen the science. I believe the science. If you think about it, I’m a guy who gets science.

But don’t just take ol’ Nicky Blue Eyes’s word for it. Grab yourself a quantum scientist and talk about how your program office or unit is setting up to take full advantage of the coming quantum era.

*This post was written by ChatGPT 3.5 from the following prompt: “In the style of the character Nick Miller from the TV show ‘New Girl,” write a blog post of approximately 1,000 words outlining the current and future use cases of quantum science in national security.” Links are mine!