By: Andrew Swick
The federal government has decided quantum computing is a key priority moving forward.
On June 22, 2026, President Trump signed Executive Order 14413, “Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation”, a whole-of-government directive to accelerate the deployment and commercialization of quantum computing, sensing, and networking. The order builds on the 2018 National Quantum Initiative Act, but the posture has changed. In 2018, Washington was funding research. In 2026, Washington is placing orders, setting deadlines, and telling agencies to buy, build, and field quantum technology; while tightening the perimeter around it.
For defense contractors and technology companies, this order is both an invitation and a warning.
What the Order Does
The Executive Order directs a sprawling set of actions across the government, on aggressive timelines, including:
- A national quantum computer. The order establishes the Quantum Computer for Application Development and Discovery Science (QC-ADDS) Effort; a national push to develop quantum computing at a scale that “initiates the era of quantum-enabled scientific discovery,” with at least one machine delivered to a Department of Energy facility. The Department of Commerce is directed to develop a plan, potentially including advance market commitments, to bring commercial quantum companies into the effort. In other words, the government intends to be a customer, not just a grant-maker.
- Quantum sensors on a deadline. Within 60 days, the Department of Defense must identify at least three next-generation quantum sensor projects to prioritize, with fielding required by September 30, 2028. That is a procurement timeline, not a research horizon.
- A supply chain agenda. The Departments of Commerce, Defense, Energy, and the National Science Foundation are directed to analyze quantum supply chains, develop plans to build quantum-enabling component technologies domestically—again, potentially using prize challenges or advance market commitments—and increase access to DoD-sponsored foundry resources.
- Workforce and benchmarking. The order stands up a national center to assess the performance of quantum computing systems, a government-wide quantum recruitment strategy, and a network of National QIST Workforce Development Institutes.
- Protection. An expanded FBI-led Quantum Counterintelligence Protection Team (QCPT) will coordinate threat information sharing with industry and academia; and the State and Commerce Departments are directed to harmonize export controls, investment restrictions, and research security policies with allies; while preventing countries of concern from acquiring critical quantum-enabling technologies.
The Protection Agenda Is Already Here
The promotion side of the order will take months to materialize. The protection side is already law.
In September 2024, the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) added a suite of quantum-related export controls to the Commerce Control List covering:
- quantum computers above specified qubit-count and error-rate thresholds,
- cryogenic cooling systems and CMOS circuits,
- parametric signal amplifiers,
- isotopically enriched silicon and germanium materials,
- cryogenic wafer probers, and the software and technology (including know-how) behind all of it.
The controls carry worldwide license requirements, softened by a license exception for countries that have implemented equivalent controls; the same “like-minded country” architecture the new Executive Order now directs State and Commerce to expand.
Two implications flow from this that many businesses still miss.
First, because quantum technologies are export controlled, they are “critical technologies” under CFIUS regulations. A foreign investment in a U.S. quantum business—even a non-controlling one that comes with board seats or access to technical information—likely triggers a mandatory CFIUS filing. If a quantum startup is courting foreign capital, that is a legal process, not a term sheet detail; and tripping over this may result in the government ordering the transaction to be unwound.
Second, in developing the quantum related export controls, BIS acknowledge that United States quantum talent comes from around the world to the United States to innovate and it honored this with the quantum regulations. Specifically, although deemed export requirements mean sharing controlled quantum technology or source code with a foreign national employee inside the United States is an export, the quantum regulations eased up the requirement to obtain a license. Instead, businesses in the United States working quantum innovation, rather than having to get an export license are required to file annual reports with BIS on their non-U.S. employees. If a business’ workforce includes foreign nationals and its lab includes controlled quantum technology, they have compliance obligations today.
Considerations for Defense Contractors
Position for the buy. Between QC-ADDS, the sensor fielding mandate, advance market commitments, and a possible DoD center for national security quantum applications, real procurement dollars are coming. Companies with quantum capabilities, or quantum-enabling components like cryogenics, photonics, control electronics, and specialty materials; should track the 60-, 90-, 120-, and 180-day deliverables in the order, because those reports will shape where the money lands.
Map export exposure before scaling. The same technologies the government wants to buy are the ones controlled by export regulations. Before entering partnering with, hiring, or teaming with foreign persons and foreign businesses, classify quantum-related items against the quantum export controls. That is track quantum innovation against the quantum, software, electronic and other Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) and document the analysis. Know whether a license exception for like-minded countries covers export destinations, and remember the exception requires registration and annual reporting.
Watch the ITAR line. Quantum items are generally EAR-controlled, until they are integrated into or specially designed for military applications, at which point U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations may govern. A quantum sensor developed for the DoD’s 2028 fielding deadline may not live under the same regulatory regime as its commercial cousin.
Expect the counterintelligence outreach. The expanded QCPT will be knocking: coordinating threat briefings and security guidance to quantum companies and research institutions. Businesses should treat that engagement as an asset, and be ready to demonstrate research security controls, because the same order directs agencies to harmonize research security policies with allies. Grant and contract eligibility will likely follow.
Foreign investment means CFIUS. Foreign investors and United States’ business recently learned that not passing through a CFIUS review when it is required can result in a transaction or investment being unwound – the United States government unwound Chinese investment in a defense contractor. As this transaction demonstrates failing to file a transaction with F CFIUS does not come with an expiration date. For quantum businesses, the CFIUS filing analysis should be part of any capital raise involving foreign persons.
The Bottom Line
Executive Order 14413 confirms what the September 2024 export controls signaled: quantum has graduated from lab curiosity to strategic asset. The government intends to accelerate the industry with its checkbook and guard it with its regulatory arsenal all at once. The companies that will benefit most are the ones that treat the promotion and the protection as a single strategy: chase the procurement opportunity, but build the compliance infrastructure before the first foreign investor, foreign employee, or foreign customer walks in the door.
Quantum may still be emerging technology. The legal obligations around it are jellying into mandated actions with real ramifications for not complying.
