Defense Quantum Acceleration Act of 2024

This bill directs the Secretary of Defense to accelerate the implementation of quantum information science (QIS) technologies within the Department of Defense. It establishes a set of activities, designates a Principal Quantum Advisor, and requires a strategic plan, a testbed, and workforce planning to transition QIS technologies from research to operational use.

Sec. 2, Joint quantum information science defense transition activities: The Secretary of Defense must establish activities to accelerate QIS technology adoption, including exploring QIS technologies, developing transition plans, and carrying them out. A Principal Quantum Advisor is to be designated within 180 days to coordinate these activities, identify defense QIS use cases, prototype solutions at readiness level 5 or higher by fiscal year 2025, and plan funding for lower-readiness solutions. The Advisor must also accelerate development and fielding, engage with industry and academia, and align with allied efforts including AUKUS and NATO. A five-year strategic plan is required, covering evaluation, development, resource allocation, and supply chain assessment, to be reported to Congress within one year. A commercial security strategy must be adopted. A national defense quantum information science joint center of excellence is to be established with participation from armed forces labs, a Department of Energy national lab, and a research center, authorized $20 million per year from 2025 to 2029. The Secretary must enhance QIS research opportunities at military academies and ROTC, and direct each armed force to adopt standard operating procedures for QIS workforce development. The Principal Quantum Advisor must review proposed budgets for QIS activities before submission to the Comptroller, and report inadequacies to the Secretary and Congress.