1. What is Quantum Drive today?
Quantum Drive is a next-generation modular pulsed electromagnetic platform.
It combines several advanced technological building blocks within a single architecture: electromagnetic systems, HTS superconductors, rapid energy storage, SMES, SiC power electronics, cryogenics, instrumentation, sensors and synchronised control.
The programme is now being developed according to a dual-use strategy, with several potential applications based on the same technological foundation.
Two areas are currently of particular interest: Counter-UAV / Counter-UAS protection and very-high-speed electromagnetic acceleration.
2. What is the origin of the Quantum Drive programme?
The work behind Quantum Drive dates back nearly two decades.
The first international intellectual-property milestone was established in Switzerland in 2008 with the filing of PCT/IB2008/002052.
The first generation of the technology concerned a motor application based on the use of electromagnetic pulses to produce a mechanical effect.
The programme subsequently evolved through several generations of research, development and intellectual property, leading to today's modular electromagnetic architecture.
Quantum Drive 2026 therefore represents a new generation of the programme, rather than simply a continuation of the original 2008 motor application.
3. Why does Quantum Drive represent a disruptive technology?
Quantum Drive is based on the integration of several advanced technologies:
• Pulsed electromagnetics
• HTS superconductivity
• SMES magnetic energy storage
• SiC power electronics
• Cryogenics
• High-speed instrumentation
• Advanced control and synchronisation
Its technological value lies not only in each individual component, but in their integration within a common modular architecture.
HTS superconductivity involves macroscopic quantum phenomena and enables operating regimes that are fundamentally different from conventional resistive electrical systems.
Quantum Drive therefore explores a new technological pathway rather than an incremental improvement to a conventional system.
4. What is the priority defence application?
One of the programme's priority applications is protection against hostile drones and unmanned aerial systems — Counter-UAV / Counter-UAS.
Quantum Drive is designed to generate and control pulsed electromagnetic effects in order to experimentally characterise their ability to disrupt or neutralise critical onboard electronic functions.
Potential applications include the protection of:
• Critical infrastructure
• Energy facilities
• Sensitive industrial sites
• Ports and maritime infrastructure
• Logistics platforms
• Strategic areas
The system is also being developed with mobile and deployable configurations in mind.
5. Can Quantum Drive be integrated onto a mobile platform?
Yes.
The architecture has been designed to enable the principal subsystems to be integrated onto a heavy-duty carrier platform:
• LiFePO₄ power supply
• Rapid energy storage and SMES
• SiC power electronics
• Electromagnetic systems
• HTS Bulk systems
• Cryogenics
• Instrumentation
• ECU and control systems
This approach enables the development of a repositionable and orientable platform that can be adapted to different operational environments.
The same integration philosophy can also be investigated for maritime platforms.
6. Does Quantum Drive have maritime applications?
Yes.
The modular architecture can be adapted for integration onto a naval platform or maritime infrastructure.
This involves adapting the technology to specific operational constraints, including:
• Onboard energy availability
• Marine and saline environments
• Vibration
• Platform movement
• Cooling
• Instrumentation
• Operational safety
This opens potential development pathways for protecting vessels, ports and maritime infrastructure against different categories of unmanned systems.
7. Can Quantum Drive accelerate a physical payload?
Yes.
The same technological architecture is being investigated for the electromagnetic acceleration of physical payloads to very high velocities.
Current scientific models and engineering calculations include a theoretical reference configuration of approximately 6 kg, with a target velocity of up to Mach 7.
This currently represents an engineering target derived from the programme's scientific models and dimensioning work.
The experimental phase is intended to transform this calculated target into measurable and reproducible physical data.
8. What is the role of the pulsed electromagnetic field at the system exit?
Quantum Drive is also investigating a pulsed electromagnetic field concept associated with the exit of the acceleration system.
The intended function is to act locally on the medium ahead of a payload travelling at very high velocity and investigate whether certain propagation constraints can be reduced.
The research includes potential effects related to:
• Atmospheric density
• Aerodynamic constraints
• Thermal phenomena
• Electromagnetic interaction with the surrounding medium
This advanced function forms part of the research programme and will require quantitative characterisation during the experimental campaigns.
9. What are the main technologies used by Quantum Drive?
The Quantum Drive architecture incorporates several complementary technologies:
• LiFePO₄ batteries for primary power supply
• SMES and rapid energy-storage solutions
• SiC power semiconductor technology
• Modular electromagnetic systems
• HTS Bulk superconductors
• Cryogenic systems
• Sensors and metrology
• ECU and synchronised control
• Mechanical integration and orientation systems
The system architecture coordinates these different subsystems and enables their progressive integration within the demonstrator.
10. What is the current Technology Readiness Level?
Quantum Drive is currently positioned at an estimated TRL 3–4.
Work already completed includes:
• Defined system architecture
• Established scientific models
• Principal engineering calculations and dimensioning
• Identification of the main material families
• Selection of candidate technologies
• Study of key system interfaces
• Structured experimental development programme
The next phase consists of building the physical technology blocks, instrumenting them, measuring their performance and progressively integrating them into a representative demonstrator.
The objective is progression toward TRL 5.
DEFINED → CALCULATED → ENGINEERED → BUILD → TEST → TRL 5
11. Does Quantum Drive have civilian applications?
Yes. Dual-use capability is a central element of the programme.
One important civilian development pathway concerns electromagnetic assistance for the acceleration and launch of microsatellites and small space payloads.
The technologies developed within Quantum Drive may also generate derivative applications in:
• Energy storage
• HTS systems
• Power electronics
• Cryogenics
• Advanced electromagnetic systems
• Scientific and experimental infrastructure
Quantum Drive is therefore conceived as a multi-application technological platform.
12. What is Quantum Drive looking for today?
Quantum Drive is seeking partners capable of transforming the current engineering architecture into a physical demonstrator.
Potential partners include:
• Industrial partners
• System integrators
• Laboratories and research centres
• HTS and cryogenic specialists
• SMES and SiC specialists
• Testing and metrology facilities
• DeepTech and dual-use partners
• Strategic investors
Quantum Drive brings:
TECHNOLOGY
Architecture • Scientific Work • Engineering • Intellectual Property • Development Roadmap
Partners bring:
INDUSTRIAL CAPABILITY
Manufacturing • Integration • Testing • Capital • Market Access
The objective is clear:
DEFINED → CALCULATED → ENGINEERED → BUILD → TEST → TRL 5
Detailed technical and engineering documentation is available to qualified partners under confidentiality.