Quantum Cyber seeks manufacturing partners for UAS antenna prototype
Quantum Cyber is inviting manufacturing and applied-research partners to apply for a private-sector sourcing action tied to its quantum-photonic antenna front-end, with responses due Sept. 18, 2026.
Quantum Cyber said on Sept. 4, 2026, that it is seeking qualified manufacturing, foundry and applied-R&D partners to help build the first working prototype of its quantum-photonic antenna front-end for unmanned aerial systems.
Applications are due Sept. 18, 2026, under reference EX-QPA-RFI-001 and should be sent to [email protected].
The company said the program is aimed at a compact system designed to support frequency-agile communications for UAS operating in contested and denied environments.
Quantum Cyber said the work would cover feasibility assessment, process definition, design-for-manufacture review, fabrication and packaging, testing and characterization, and delivery of at least one operating unit with full documentation. The company said it prefers partners that can complete prototype development within six months.
According to the company, the technology was secured through an exclusive worldwide Intellectual Property License Agreement with Project LightShift, Inc., dated June 11, 2026, for defense and national-security UAS applications. Quantum Cyber said the complete material stack, quantum-dot chemistry, wavelengths, topology, tolerances and performance targets are proprietary and would be shared only through a controlled technical package after any required agreements and export-control review.
The company also said the inquiry is a private-sector sourcing action, not a U.S. government solicitation, contract, award or agency endorsement, and does not authorize recipients to incur costs.
In its release, Quantum Cyber cited Executive Order 14307 and said the U.S. Department of Defense FY2027 budget request allocates approximately $55 billion toward drone and autonomous warfare programs.
Quantum Cyber said its Bridgeport, Connecticut manufacturing complex is moving toward steady-state drone production, its first mini-interceptor drone has been completed on-site and its 80-unit 3D printing drone production farm is advancing toward commissioning.
CEO David Lazar said the June license was the company's first public commitment that the quantum layer of its platform would be real and that the current call for applications is the second. He said the goal is to identify a qualified partner, deliver at least one operating unit and demonstrate that a quantum-photonic antenna designed for resilient UAS communications can be built.
Quantum Cyber said it may invite one or more respondents into a controlled technical exchange under confidentiality and, where applicable, export-control review before any definitive prototype-development and manufacturing agreement. The company said no prototype has been built or tested, the design specifications are internal targets that have not been independently validated, and there is no assurance that any agreement will be reached.
The Sept. 18 deadline is next for written applications. Quantum Cyber said it will review responses before deciding whether to move forward with a controlled technical exchange and possible prototype-development talks.
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