On World Quantum Day (April 14), DARPA launched the Heterogeneous Architectures for Quantum (HARQ) program to combine different qubit modalities — trapped ions, neutral atoms, and superconducting qubits — into a single networked system, betting that mixing qubit types will outperform any single approach at scale. IonQ was selected as a HARQ contractor, sending the stock up 21%, and memQ was tapped to build a hardware-aware quantum compiler for the program. Separately, ParityQC set a new benchmark by running a 52-qubit Quantum Fourier Transform on IBM's Heron processor — the largest QFT demonstrated on real hardware — using a parity mapping that reduces circuit depth significantly. Meanwhile, the UK confirmed it is the first country to deploy quantum computers at scale under a national advanced market commitment, with systems earmarked for defense, healthcare, and national security applications.

• DARPA HARQ program: IonQ wins contract for heterogeneous qubit architecture

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• For quantum computing, different qubits are better together — DARPA HARQ launch

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• ParityQC demonstrates 52-qubit Quantum Fourier Transform on IBM Heron processor

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• UK first country to roll out quantum computers at scale

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