Navy Researchers Release Groundbreaking Software, Slashing Quantum Computational Costs by as Much as 99%

01 September 2026

From Darian L. Wilson

SAN DIEGO – Researchers at Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory have developed a new software package that dramatically improves the efficiency of quantum algorithms, in some cases reducing computational costs by more than 99 percent.
The software, named "QGeo," provides a new approach to designing instructions for quantum computers. Traditionally, quantum algorithms are built by stringing together many individual operations, or "gates." The QGeo package instead uses a method called geodesic quantum complexity to find the most efficient and direct computational path to a solution, optimizing the entire algorithm at once.
“In the race for quantum advantage, hardware often steals the spotlight, but the real battle is being fought in the algorithms,” said Sean Crowe, PhD, a NIWC Pacific scientist. “We came up with a method to evaluate gate complexities which is used to determine whether more efficient versions of quantum algorithms are available.’
In a recently published paper, the Navy team demonstrated the software’s performance on several test cases. For a quantum simulation of a fermionic chain, a problem relevant to materials science, QGeo found a method that was 99.4 percent more efficient than the standard implementation. For other complex circuits, the software demonstrated similar cost reductions of up to 98 percent.
"Think of it like planning a trip," said Crowe. "Your favorite app for maps automatically finds shortcuts and efficient routes to minimize the time to your destination. In a similar way, our tool helps find the absolute minimal cost to make a quantum computer reach a desired state."
This research provides a pathway to making quantum computers more powerful and practical, according to Crowe. By significantly reducing the resources needed to run complex algorithms, this work accelerates the timeline for using quantum systems to address difficult computational problems. This could enable new capabilities in areas such as advanced materials development for naval platforms, optimization of logistics for fleet operations, and the creation of next-generation encryption technologies.
The development of QGeo represents a key step in unlocking the full potential of quantum technology, according to Crowe, ensuring the U.S. Navy remains at the forefront of this critical and rapidly advancing field.
NOTICE: AI tools were used to improve readability of this information. Factual accuracy of all content was verified by relevant DoD personnel in compliance with DoD policies.

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Navy Researchers Release Groundbreaking Software, Slashing Quantum Computational Costs by as Much as 99%

From Darian L. Wilson

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