IBM and Lockheed Martin, in collaboration with ETH Zurich, have announced the launch of a quantum innovation center in Switzerland. The center will be institutionally based at ETH Zurich and will host the country’s first IBM Quantum System Two. The system is scheduled to be installed at the Swiss National Supercomputing Centre (CSCS) in the city of Lugano and is expected to begin operation by the end of 2026.
The project represents an expansion of local infrastructure available to Swiss researchers and companies, rather than relying solely on access to quantum computing hardware through the cloud. IBM will operate the system, while ETH Zurich will coordinate access to it and provide the expertise, resources, and technologies needed by universities, startups, and industry. CSCS will host the system and provide infrastructure requirements, including power, cooling, and security.
What the System Will Provide
The system will be based on the IBM Quantum Nighthawk r2 processor, which IBM describes as its fastest and most advanced processor available to users. The processor contains 120 programmable qubits, along with a high-speed qubit-reset architecture that enables the execution of more than 100,000 circuits per second, with throughput of up to 25 times that of the previous generation of IBM Quantum Heron processors.
According to IBM, Nighthawk r2 has demonstrated its ability to perform accurate computations within quantum circuits containing 7,500 gates. The Quantum System Two integrates a deep-cooling architecture, classical runtime servers for hybrid workflows, and modular electronics for controlling quantum processing units.
Research Areas and Access
Center members will be able to use IBM’s quantum fleet through the cloud and then access the dedicated system in Switzerland once it is operational. Targeted use cases include chemistry, materials science, optimization, and financial services, as well as the study of molecules, materials, and chemical processes that may be difficult to simulate using conventional computing alone.
The project also includes skills-development initiatives through access to IBM Quantum Network educational materials, courses, certifications, and workshops, as well as support for hackathons, conferences, and events. IBM said that its agreement with ETH Zurich to install and operate the system initially extends for three years, through 2029.
Research Collaboration Beyond Quantum Computing
IBM and Lockheed Martin plan to carry out two initial research projects within the center. One will focus on quantum-sensing applications in navigation, while the other will address the optimization of additive manufacturing for metal alloys. This is part of an existing strategic collaboration between the two companies in quantum computing and artificial intelligence, combining Lockheed Martin’s expertise in quantum sensing and additive manufacturing with IBM’s expertise in quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
certi.news Analysis
The most important change here is not the announcement of a new processor, but the transfer of an advanced quantum system into national research infrastructure that gives Swiss organizations dedicated access, structured training, and applied partnerships in one location. This could help connect academic research with industrial experiments, but the practical impact will remain tied to the system’s commissioning date, the access model that ETH Zurich will coordinate, and the ability of the proposed projects to produce results beyond research experiments. The announcement does not provide details on the criteria for selecting participating organizations or the cost of access, points that institutions will need to monitor before assessing the initiative’s actual return.