Rigetti Computing Jumps On 5 8 Million Contract From The Air Force

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Jan 2, 2026, 1:13 PM

rigetti computing jumps on 5 8 million contract from the air force

Shares of Rigetti Computing are rallying in premarket trading after the company announced that it won a three-year, $5.8 million contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) “to advance superconducting quantum networking.” The quantum computing company plans to collaborate with Dutch startup QphoX on this endeavor. “This project aims to deliver systems providing entanglement between superconducting qubits and optical photons, the essential building block of quantum networking,” per Rigetti’s press release. This less than $6 million contract has seen Rigetti’s market cap swell by about $250 million. “We are very pleased that AFRL is supporting this technology, which is important for the US to maintain its global leadership in quantum information science,” Dr. Subodh Kulkarni, CEO of Rigetti, said.

San Francisco, CA – September 24, 2025 – Rigetti Computing (NASDAQ: RGTI), a pioneer in quantum computing, has landed a significant three-year, $5.8 million contract from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). This pivotal agreement is set to accelerate the development of superconducting quantum networking technology, a critical step toward realizing scalable quantum computers and a secure quantum internet. The news has sent a ripple of excitement through the quantum computing sector, particularly impacting Rigetti's stock, which saw a notable surge following the announcement. This contract not only provides substantial funding for Rigetti's cutting-edge research but also serves as a strong validation of its technological prowess and strategic direction. It underscores the increasing importance of quantum information science in national security and positions Rigetti as a key player in the race to unlock the full potential of quantum technology, with potential long-term implications... The $5.8 million AFRL contract is specifically dedicated to advancing superconducting quantum networking.

Rigetti will be collaborating with the Dutch quantum startup QphoX, a partnership designed to tackle one of quantum computing's most formidable challenges: converting the microwave signals used by superconducting qubits into optical photons capable... This microwave-to-optical conversion is fundamental for establishing entanglement between qubits across different quantum systems, a prerequisite for distributed quantum computing. The project builds upon prior successes by Rigetti and QphoX in demonstrating qubit-transducer systems with optical single-shot qubit readout. Key objectives under this contract include optimizing qubit-to-transducer interfaces, scaling multi-chip quantum processors, and achieving room-temperature, long-range quantum state transfer via optical fibers. For Rigetti, this contract represents a profound validation of its superconducting quantum computing technology and its leadership in quantum networking. It secures vital funding for R&D, mitigates commercialization risks, and strengthens strategic partnerships with QphoX and the AFRL.

Furthermore, aligning with national security priorities could open doors to future defense-related opportunities, enhancing Rigetti's market position and contributing to the U.S.'s goal of global leadership in quantum information science. The announcement of the Air Force contract had an immediate and tangible positive impact on Rigetti Computing's (NASDAQ: RGTI) stock. Following the news, Rigetti's shares experienced a significant surge, with reports indicating gains ranging from 15% to over 30%, and even a 48.46% increase over the preceding week. This momentum contributed to an approximate $250 million increase in Rigetti's market capitalization, reflecting bolstered investor confidence in the company's trajectory. Rigetti Computing has secured a three-year, $5.8 million contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to collaborate with QphoX on developing superconducting quantum networking technologies.

News of the contract led Rigetti’s stock to rise almost 17% on Thursday. Rigetti Computing, Inc. operates as an integrated systems company. The company builds quantum computers and the superconducting quantum processors th… Written with AI assistance, verified and edited by our team. Questions?

Contact us. Receive our weekly market insights and tech news roundup. You've reached the free limit. Upgrade to premium for unlimited access. IonQ signed a finalized agreement with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI) to deliver a 100-qubit trapped-ion quantum system to... Lausanne-based Enlightra has raised $15 million to develop chip-scale, multi-wavelength laser technology aimed at easing data-movement and power constraints in...

Telstra and Silicon Quantum Computing (SQC) reported results from a year-long collaboration that applied quantum-enhanced machine learning to predictive analytics... Written by Daily Stock News for The Motley Fool-> Rigetti Computing Inc (NASDAQ: RGTI) closed at $31.46, up 10.89%. Trading volume reached about 101.9 million shares, more than twice its three-month average. The stock reached $32.40, a new 52-week high, intraday. Markets softened.

The S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) fell 36.83 points, or 0.55%, to 6,656.92, while the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) dropped 215.50 points, or 0.95%, to 22,573.47. Among quantum peers, D-Wave Quantum Inc (NYSE: QBTS) rose 7.21% to $27.52, and IONQ Inc (NYSE: IONQ) gained 4.45% to $75.14, with the group benefiting from rising interest in government-related quantum research. Rigetti has been climbing since Sept. 18, when it announced a three-year, $5.8 million contract with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory to develop quantum networking in partnership with QphoX. The award builds on Rigetti's track record in federally backed quantum programs.

For investors, the continued rally underscores how government contracts can validate the company's technology and provide funding support, though long-term value will depend on translating such deals into recurring revenue and broader commercial adoption.

Rigetti Computing Jumps On 5 8 Million Contract From The Air Force

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