[Paper Review] Quantum Communication for Military Applications

Niels M. P. Neumann, Maran P. P. van Heesch+1 more|arXiv (Cornell University)|Nov 10, 2020

Quantum Information and Cryptography30 references4 citations

TL;DR

This paper explores quantum communication applications for military operations, proposing secure quantum key distribution (QKD) and quantum networking to overcome limitations in conventional military communications. It outlines state-of-the-art technologies, use cases such as secure command links and anti-jamming systems, and demonstrates the feasibility of quantum communication in tactical and strategic defense environments using current experimental and theoretical advancements in quantum physics.

ABSTRACT

Communication is vital in everyday life and critical for current and future military operations. However, conventional communication as we know it also has its limitations. Quantum communication allows some of these challenges to be overcome and, thereby, new application areas open up, also in the military domain. In this work quantum communication for military purposes is considered. Different applications are presented and the state-of-the-art of the technology is given. Also, quantum communication use cases specific for military applications are described.

Motivation & Objective

• To evaluate the potential of quantum communication technologies in enhancing security and reliability for military operations.
• To identify and analyze specific military use cases where quantum communication offers advantages over classical communication systems.
• To assess the current technological maturity of quantum communication systems for real-world military deployment.
• To bridge the gap between theoretical quantum communication research and practical defense applications.
• To provide a roadmap for integrating quantum communication into existing and future military communication infrastructures.

Proposed method

• Surveying existing quantum communication technologies, particularly quantum key distribution (QKD), as the core enabler for secure military communications.
• Analyzing military-specific requirements such as mobility, low latency, and resilience to electronic warfare for quantum communication system design.
• Evaluating experimental and theoretical advancements in quantum networks, including satellite-based and fiber-optic QKD systems.
• Mapping quantum communication capabilities to military operational scenarios, such as secure command and control, battlefield networking, and intelligence gathering.
• Assessing integration challenges with existing military communication architectures and proposing hybrid solutions.
• Drawing on real-world demonstrations and defense-relevant testbeds to validate feasibility and performance under tactical conditions.

Experimental results

Research questions

• RQ1 How can quantum key distribution enhance the security of military communication links against eavesdropping and cyber threats?
• RQ2 What are the most viable quantum communication use cases for tactical and strategic military operations?
• RQ3 What are the technological and operational limitations of deploying quantum communication in dynamic, high-stakes military environments?
• RQ4 How do quantum communication systems compare to classical systems in terms of reliability, latency, and scalability for military applications?
• RQ5 What integration strategies are feasible for combining quantum communication with existing military communication infrastructures?

Key findings

• Quantum key distribution (QKD) provides information-theoretic security, making it highly suitable for protecting sensitive military communications.
• Current experimental systems demonstrate secure key exchange over distances exceeding 100 km via fiber and over 1000 km via satellite, enabling long-range military communication links.
• Military-relevant use cases include secure command and control, anti-jamming communication, and resilient communication in contested electromagnetic environments.
• Quantum communication systems are still limited by line-of-sight requirements, environmental noise, and the need for specialized infrastructure, especially in mobile platforms.
• Hybrid classical-quantum communication architectures are viable for incremental deployment, allowing military forces to adopt quantum security features without full system overhaul.
• The paper confirms that quantum communication is transitioning from theoretical promise to practical feasibility, with ongoing demonstrations supporting its military relevance.