An indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract is a purchasing agreement where a buyer commits to order goods or services over a set period but does not promise exact quantities up front, instead placing individual orders as needs arise within agreed limits. For investors, IDIQs matter because they can create steady, multi-year revenue opportunities and backlog visibility like a supplier having a standing store account — but actual cash depends on each future order and on the buyer’s budget and timing.
optical communicationstechnical
Optical communications is the use of light—typically sent through glass fibers or other optical pathways—to carry data and voice signals across distances. Think of it like sending tiny flashlight pulses down a tube instead of electrical currents through wires. Investors care because this technology is the backbone of high‑speed internet, cloud services and telecom networks; demand, cost improvements and new applications directly affect revenue growth and capital spending for companies in the sector.
quantum networkingtechnical
Quantum networking uses principles of quantum physics to connect devices so they can share and synchronize information in ways that classical networks cannot, often enabling extremely strong security and coordination. For investors it matters because it promises new layers of telecom and cybersecurity infrastructure, potential breakthroughs in computing and sensors, and long-term market opportunities and risks as companies race to build the underlying hardware and services — like betting on a new type of highway before cars evolve to use it.
quantum sensingtechnical
Quantum sensing uses the unusual behavior of tiny particles to measure physical quantities—like magnetic fields, time, or motion—with far greater precision than conventional sensors. For investors, it matters because this leap in sensitivity can enable new products and markets (better medical imaging, navigation without GPS, or faster material testing), potentially creating high-growth opportunities for companies that commercialize reliable, scalable devices.
quantum securitytechnical
Measures and technologies intended to keep data and communications safe from the kinds of code‑breaking power expected from future quantum computers, including both new mathematical encryption methods and hardware that uses quantum physics to secure keys. Think of it as installing stronger locks and entirely new safes before a much smarter burglar arrives; for investors, it matters because it affects a company’s cybersecurity costs, regulatory compliance, product competitiveness and exposure to an emerging technology risk that can change valuations.
COLLEGE PARK, Md.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
IonQ (NYSE: IONQ) is pleased to announce it was awarded a contract under the Missile Defense Agency Scalable Homeland Innovative Enterprise Layered Defense (SHIELD) indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with a ceiling of $151 billion. This contract encompasses a broad range of work areas that allows for the rapid delivery of innovative capabilities to the warfighter with increased speed and agility.
IonQ is among more than 2,400 companies eligible to compete for future task orders issued under the SHIELD IDIQ contract framework.
IonQ delivers a full portfolio of quantum technologies spanning quantum computing, quantum networking, quantum sensing, and quantum security. The company also includes subsidiaries with established capabilities across space-based intelligence, secure communications, and precision timing technologies.
IonQ’s subsidiary companies include Capella Space, which provides on-demand, all-weather synthetic aperture radar imagery from space to support data-driven decision-making for operational and security missions; Skyloom, which delivers high-capacity optical communications technologies designed to enable secure, high-speed data transfer between space and ground systems; and Vector Atomic, which develops precision timing and navigation technologies designed to support system performance in GPS-degraded or denied environments.
“IonQ brings together a broad set of quantum technologies and supporting capabilities that reflect years of investment across computing, networking, sensing, and security,” said Niccolo de Masi, Chairman and CEO of IonQ. “We look forward to continuing our work with U.S. government partners across a range of research, development, and innovation programs.”
Participation in the SHIELD IDIQ contract provides a contractual framework through which IonQ may compete for future task orders, subject to agency requirements and competitive selection processes.
IonQ has a history of supporting U.S. government research and development initiatives, including work with agencies such as DARPA, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, and organizations across the national security community.
About IonQ
IonQ, Inc. [NYSE: IONQ] is the world’s leading quantum platform and merchant supplier - delivering integrated quantum solutions across computing, networking, sensing and security. IonQ’s newest generation of quantum computers, the forthcoming IonQ Tempo, will be the latest in a line of cutting-edge systems that have been helping customers and partners including Amazon Web Services, AstraZeneca, and NVIDIA achieve 20x performance results and accelerate innovation in drug discovery, materials science, financial modeling, logistics, cybersecurity, and defense. In 2025, the company achieved 99.99% two-qubit gate fidelity, setting a world record in quantum computing performance.
Headquartered in College Park, Maryland, IonQ has operations in California, Colorado, Massachusetts, Tennessee, Washington, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Toronto, and the United Kingdom. Our quantum computing services are available through all major cloud providers, while we also meet the needs of networking and sensing customers across land, sea, air, and space. IonQ is making quantum platforms more accessible and impactful than ever before. Learn more at IonQ.com.
IonQ Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words. Statements that are not historical in nature, including the words accelerate, accelerating, intends, roadmap, will, and other similar terms are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements include those related to IonQ’s quantum capabilities and plans; the necessity, effectiveness, and future impacts of IonQ’s offering; IonQ’s technology delivering scalable, fault tolerant quantum computing in the future; and the scalability, accessibility, effectiveness, criticality, performance, impact, practicality, and commercial-readiness of IonQ’s offerings. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: changes in the competitive industries in which IonQ operates, including development of competing technologies; IonQ’s ability to implement its business plans, forecasts, roadmaps and other expectations, to identify and realize partnerships and opportunities, and to engage new and existing customers; IonQ’s ability to deliver, and customers’ ability to generate, value from IonQ’s offerings; IonQ’s ability to deliver next-generation electronics and materials, reduce hardware complexity, scale system capacity, and enhance system performance, information transfer, and network accuracy, or reduce noise and errors; IonQ’s ability to sell effectively to government entities and large enterprises; IonQ’s ability to deliver services and products within currently anticipated timelines; IonQ’s customers deciding or declining to extend contracts into new phases; changes in U.S. government spending or policy that may affect IonQ’s customers; changes in laws and regulations affecting IonQ’s business; and risks associated with U.S. government sales, including availability of funding and provisions that allow the government to unilaterally terminate or modify contracts for convenience. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed in the Company’s filings, including but not limited to those described in the “Risk Factors” section of IonQ's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and reports on Form 10-Q. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and IonQ assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. IonQ does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations. IonQ may or may not choose to practice or otherwise use the inventions described in the issued patents in the future.
