Aquark Technologies' cold atom-based atomic clock used in timing radar trial

Aquark Technologies' cold atom-based atomic clock was tested aboard HMS Pursuer in June 2025. (Aquark Technologies)

Saab's Giraffe 1X radar and Aquark Technologies' AQlock were used to complete a successful quantum-based timing radar trial, according to a 12 August 2026 Saab press release.

In June 2026, Giraffe 1X radars were placed at Saab and QinetiQ sites in the UK as part of the trial. The Royal Navy's XV Patrick Blackett experimentation ship and the UK's Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) acted as network rebroadcast nodes, according to Aquark Technologies.

Two AQlock 2.0 units delivered to different locations and started “from cold” to an acceptable timing signal in less than 30 minutes, as per the Aquark Technologies release. Aquark describes its AQlock as a cold atom-based atomic clock that derives its stability from quantum mechanical effects.

The two Giraffe 1X radars combined tracking data into a single air picturewhile relying solely on the AQlock units for timing. At first, the radars tracked live targets whilst operating with the AQlocks. Then controlled timing errors were introduced to mimic global navigation satellite services (GNSS) spoofing and denial scenarios to assess the impact on the radar picture, Saab said.

The trial demonstrated that the radars generated an air picture without GNSS timing, and that “rapid recovery” was achieved timing synchronisation was re-established during disruptions. Saab said in the press release that the radars continued operating under “representative GNSS-denied and GNSS-spoofed conditions” when utilising quantum timing.

The trial involved Saab UK, Aquark Technologies, and the Royal Navy (RN) Disruptive Capabilities and Technologies Office (DCTO), QinetiQ, and Dstl.