TIME Names Q-CTRL’s Quantum Navigation System One of The Best Inventions of 2025
Insider Brief
- Q-CTRL’s Ironstone Opal quantum navigation system was named to TIME’s list of Best Inventions of 2025 for its GPS-independent navigation technology.
- The software-ruggedized system demonstrated GPS-free positioning accuracy within 4 meters over 700 km flights and operated continuously for over 144 hours during naval trials.
- Recognized for addressing GPS denial in defense and commercial applications, Ironstone Opal’s selection follows recent DARPA and U.S. Defense Innovation Unit contracts awarded to Q-CTRL for quantum navigation development.
- Image: Q-CTRL
PRESS RELEASE — Q-CTRL, the global leader in quantum infrastructure software, today announced its software-ruggedized quantum navigation system’s selection for TIME Best Inventions of 2025.
Ironstone Opal, which has been field-validated in air, land, and maritime trials, provides a solution to GPS denial, which has become an increasing danger in conflict zones and recently threatened a plane carrying European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. The system leverages quantum sensors, stabilized using software, to provide navigation that is immune to the kinds of interference plaguing commercial aviation, shipping, and defense operations.
In airborne trials, Ironstone Opal enabled GPS-free navigation with an accuracy up to 111 times better than the best conventional GPS alternative, even under highly dynamic maneuvers. It delivered GPS-like positioning accuracy down to just 4m over flights up to 700km long.
Most recently, Ironstone Opal operated continuously for more than 144 hours on an Australian Navy vessel, the MV Sycamore, trialling gravimetric navigation capabilities.
“In today’s sophisticated threat environment — marked by jamming, GPS denial, and spoofing — quantum sensing offers a strategic advantage delivering resilient and precise capabilities where traditional systems fall short,” said Jonathan Green, Chief Technology Officer, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. “As a leader in quantum technology, Northrop Grumman supports innovators like Q-CTRL in advancing the quantum industry to enhance national security through cutting edge innovation.”
TIME recognizes 300 products, software, and services each year that are changing the world, including scientific or technological breakthroughs and innovations that make life easier and more sustainable. Ironstone Opal was identified through research from TIME’s global network of reporters and expert contributors based on key evaluation factors like originality, efficacy, ambition, and impact.
Ironstone Opal’s quantum sensors detect tiny, otherwise imperceptible signals from Earth’s structure that serve as gravimetric or magnetic “landmarks” for navigation, which are then compared with geophysical maps for precise positioning. Q-CTRL’s proprietary software-ruggedization hardens these quantum sensors for operation in the real world, allowing resilient performance in demanding environments.
The system can function as a robust backup for GPS on both crewed and uncrewed defense platforms, as well as in commercial settings. Over 1,000 commercial flights per day are affected by GPS denial, and many key players in the aerospace industry, like Airbus, are looking into quantum-assured navigation technologies as a solution.
“We are thrilled to be recognized by TIME for bringing forth one of the best inventions of 2025,” said Michael Biercuk, CEO and Founder of Q-CTRL. “One of our core values is to Be Revered, and it’s thrilling that an independent and venerable publication like TIME has seen the real world-changing value we’re delivering against one of today’s most pressing strategic challenges.”
TIME’s recognition of Ironstone Opal comes shortly after DARPA awarded Q-CTRL two contracts totalling $24.4 million USD to develop quantum sensors for navigation on defense platforms, and the Department of Defense’s Innovation Unit (DIU) awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin and Q-CTRL to develop a quantum-enabled inertial navigation system.
If you are interested in learning more about Ironstone Opal, please visit Q-CTRL’s website.
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Matt Swayne
With a several-decades long background in journalism and communications, Matt Swayne has worked as a science communicator for an R1 university for more than 12 years, specializing in translating high tech and deep tech for the general audience. He has served as a writer, editor and analyst at The Quantum Insider since its inception. In addition to his service as a science communicator, Matt also develops courses to improve the media and communications skills of scientists and has taught courses.
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MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLE
Q-CTRL
Q-CTRL is a company that specializes in quantum technology, particularly through the development of quantum control infrastructure software. The company's software is designed to improve the performance of quantum hardware by reducing and controlling errors in qubits, which are the basic units of quantum information.
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Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is an independent research and development agency within the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) established in 1958 to prevent and create strategic technological surprises for national security. Operating with a relatively small staff of program managers who are empowered to take high-risk, high-reward approaches, DARPA functions by funding cutting-edge research in academia, industry, and government laboratories rather than conducting research in-house. Its mission focuses on creating revolutionary technologies—such as the Internet (ARPANET), stealth technology, GPS, and mRNA vaccine platforms—that transition into practical military and civilian applications. DARPA programs are typically finite in duration and demand transformational breakthroughs rather than incremental improvements, positioning the U.S. at the forefront of technological innovation.
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Defense Innovation Unit
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is a United States Department of Defense (DoD) organization founded to help the U.S. military make faster use of emerging commercial technologies. Launched in 2015, the organization has been called "the Pentagon's Innovation Experiment". The DIU's role in the field of quantum science and technology is to identify promising quantum technology companies, facilitate partnerships, and support the development and deployment of quantum-based solutions for defense purposes. By leveraging the expertise and capabilities of the private sector, the DIU aims to accelerate the adoption of quantum technologies within the military.
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European Commission
The Commission represents and upholds the interests of the EU as a whole, and is independent of national governments. The European Commission prepares legislation for adoption by the Council (representing the member countries) and the Parliament (representing the citizens). It administers the budget and the policy programmes (agriculture, fisheries, research etc.) in cooperation with authorities in the member countries.
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Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is a global aerospace and defense technology company formed in 1994 from the merger of two pioneer entities: Northrop Aircraft (founded in 1939) and the Grumman Corporation (established in 1929). Headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, the firm provides advanced systems including stealth aircraft, uncrewed autonomous vehicles, spacecraft, solid rocket motors, and cybersecurity solutions. The company leverages breakthrough technologies like artificial intelligence, microelectronics, and digital engineering to support government, military, and commercial clients worldwide.
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Airbus
Airbus, founded in 1970, is a global European aerospace corporation and one of the world's largest manufacturer of airliners. Headquartered in Leiden, Netherlands, with major operations in France, Germany, Spain, and the UK, the company specializes in designing, manufacturing, and supporting commercial aircraft, helicopters, defense systems, and space technology.
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Lockheed Martin
The Lockheed Martin Corporation is a preeminent global aerospace and defense powerhouse, tracing its roots to late 1912 when pioneers Glenn Martin and brothers Allan and Malcolm Lockheed established independent aviation firms. Officially formed in 1995 through the merger of Lockheed Corporation and Martin Marietta, its Aeronautics division researches, designs, and manufactures advanced tactical aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning II, while its Space division builds critical launch vehicles and satellites.
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