New CNAS Report Reveals Quantum Sensors Critical to Strengthening U.S. GPS and PNT Resilience

Washington, May 28, 2025 — Today, the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) released a new report, Atomic Advantage: Accelerating U.S. Quantum Sensing for Next-Generation Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) by Dr. Constanza M. Vidal Bustamante. The report explains how quantum sensing—the most mature branch of quantum technology today—could bolster America’s quantum edge, close critical vulnerabilities in the Global Positioning System (GPS), and revolutionize America's PNT capabilities across military operations and critical infrastructure, from telecommunications to financial networks.

For decades, the U.S. Global Positioning System has served as the backbone of global PNT, but the system’s vulnerabilities are becoming increasingly apparent as adversaries develop tools to jam and spoof GPS signals or to destroy its satellites. Disruptions already compromise military operations and delay thousands of commercial flights every day. Broader attacks could result in widespread infrastructure failure and economic losses exceeding $1 billion per day.

Quantum sensors offer a critical opportunity to build more resilient PNT capabilities and advance America’s global quantum leadership. By leveraging the stable properties of atoms, next-generation atomic clocks, accelerometers, gyroscopes, magnetometers, and gravimeters can deliver unmatched precision, long-term accuracy, and reliable performance in contested environments. With the right initiatives and investments, quantum sensing could back up, or even surpass, existing GPS services in the next few years.

The report finds that the United States still leads in quantum sensing, with 44 percent of the world’s most-cited publications in the field and a growing ecosystem of about 20 companies developing quantum sensors for PNT. However, the report warns that America’s lead is at risk. Key federal research and development authorizations have lapsed, the domestic supply chain remains fragile, and private investment focuses overwhelmingly on quantum computing, a more nascent technology. Meanwhile, China is advancing its quantum efforts through state-led programs, sustained funding, and superior manufacturing capabilities.

“Quantum sensors, computers, and networks share many underlying components and manufacturing methods” writes Dr. Vidal Bustamante. “Every federal dollar that advances quantum sensing therefore lifts the entire quantum ecosystem—and sharpens America’s edge in the global quantum race.”

To accelerate America’s development and deployment of quantum sensors for PNT, the new CNAS report outlines four recommendations for U.S. policymakers:

• Prioritize equipping the warfighter with resilient, next-generation PNT;

• Strengthen the U.S. supply chain and advanced manufacturing base for quantum devices and components;

• Expand quantum PNT to critical infrastructure and the broader civilian market; and

• Nurture robust U.S. quantum innovation ecosystems for long-term sustainability.

The full report can be read here.

For more information or to schedule an interview with the report's author, please contact Alexa Whaley at [email protected].