Insider Brief
- A consortium led by 4colors Research, including Airbus, DNV, National Quantum Computing Centre, and ORCA Computing, has received a 2025 SparQ grant to develop a quantum computing use case for aircraft loading optimisation.
- The project, funded through the STFC Cross Cluster Proof of Concept SparQ Quantum Computing Call, focuses on hybrid classical–quantum approaches to mixed-integer optimisation in aerospace logistics.
- The initiative aims to improve aircraft cargo loading efficiency, with potential benefits including reduced fuel consumption, lower emissions, and better fleet utilisation.
PRESS RELEASE — 4colors Research announced today that a consortium led by the company and comprising Airbus, DNV, NQCC, and ORCA Computing has been awarded an NQCC SparQ Grant under the 2025 STFC Cross Cluster Proof of Concept: SparQ Quantum Computing Call. The programme is funded by the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) in the UK. The award will support a collaborative project titled “Quantum-Accelerated Mixed-Integer Optimisation for Aircraft Loading” whose goal is to develop a quantum computing use case in aerospace logistics.
“Through the SparQ programme, NQCC is supporting important, industry-led projects that explore how quantum computing can deliver real-world impact. This consortium exemplifies the collaborative innovation needed to advance practical quantum optimisation”, commented Dr Rob Whiteman, Quantum Readiness Delivery Lead, NQCC.
Advancing Aircraft Loading with Hybrid Quantum Computing
The project aims to demonstrate how hybrid classical–quantum computing can help solve the complex and high-impact problem of aircraft cargo loading. Optimising both what to load and where to stow it, while satisfying trim, centre-of-gravity, structural, and operational constraints, can yield substantial benefits for airlines and cargo operators. Even small improvements in this process can lead to lower fuel burn and CO₂ emissions, faster turnaround times, and better utilisation of existing fleet capacity.
Aircraft loading is a challenge faced by manufacturers as well as airlines and operators. Like other combinatorial optimisation problems, it is computationally demanding yet critically important to operations. Enhancing efficiency improves payload utilisation and overall performance, making the search for better algorithms essential. This project focuses on harnessing the power of quantum computing to deliver practical and sustainable benefits for industry.
“The NQCC SparQ grant brings together partners with complementary expertise, spanning aerospace, logistics, quantum hardware, and advanced algorithms,” said Dr Marcin Kaminski, Founder and CEO of 4colors Research. “We are excited to collaborate on this use case and, more broadly, to push forward quantum solutions for combinatorial optimisation.”
“Hybrid quantum–classical optimisation has real potential to unlock efficiencies in complex industrial workflows,” said James Fletcher, Head of Solutions Architecture at ORCA Computing. “We’re pleased to contribute our photonic quantum systems to this consortium and help advance a commercially relevant use case for aerospace.”
