FROM TRL 3–4 TO TRL 5

Quantum Drive has completed the conceptual definition phase of its architecture. The system is now based on a structured technological architecture, scientific models, engineering calculations and an identified selection of the key technologies required for its implementation.

The next step is to transfer these results into physical experimentation in order to measure, characterise and validate the performance of the key technological building blocks before their integration into a representative demonstrator.

The objective of the programme is clear: to advance Quantum Drive from its current TRL 3–4 towards TRL 5.

A STRUCTURED EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION PROGRAMME

The programme is designed to progressively validate the four essential technology families of Quantum Drive:

• HTS superconductors and cryogenic systems
• Power electronics and pulsed-power systems
• Electromagnetic engineering and coil systems
• Sensors, metrology, synchronisation and control systems

Each building block will undergo instrumented testing, enabling measured performance to be directly compared with the existing models and calculations.

This approach is intended to transform the scientific and numerical results already obtained into reproducible and verifiable experimental data.

PHASE 1 — VALIDATION OF CRITICAL BUILDING BLOCKS

The first phase consists of developing and testing the main subsystems independently.

Experimental campaigns will measure their electrical, electromagnetic, thermal and mechanical performance, together with their stability, repeatability and ability to operate under the conditions defined by the Quantum Drive architecture.

This approach enables each critical function to be characterised and controlled before integration.

PHASE 2 — SUBSYSTEM INTEGRATION

The validated building blocks will then be progressively combined within a common architecture.

This phase will validate interfaces, synchronisation, centralised control, energy management and interactions between the different subsystems.

Experimental results will simultaneously feed back into the existing models, progressively improving the correlation between simulation and real physical behaviour.

PHASE 3 — REPRESENTATIVE DEMONSTRATOR

The next stage will be the integration of the validated technologies into a representative Quantum Drive demonstrator.

The demonstrator will bring together the principal technological building blocks within a coherent and fully instrumented architecture, generating measured, documented and reproducible performance data.

It will constitute the principal milestone towards achieving TRL 5 and preparing the subsequent stages of development and industrialisation.

ONE PLATFORM — TWO APPLICATIONS

DEFENCE — COUNTER-UAV / COUNTER-UAS

The programme will enable the experimental characterisation of pulsed electromagnetic technologies intended to counter and neutralise the electronic systems of hostile drones, particularly for the protection of critical infrastructure and sensitive sites.

CIVIL — SPACE APPLICATIONS

The same technological foundation will be investigated for electromagnetic assistance in the acceleration and launch of microsatellites and small space payloads.

This common architecture reinforces the dual-use nature of Quantum Drive and opens multiple pathways for industrial exploitation from a shared technological platform.

OBJECTIVE: A MEASURED AND DOCUMENTED TRL 5

The demonstrator programme is designed to transform an architecture that is currently defined, calculated and modelled into a system whose key performance characteristics have been measured and experimentally validated in a representative environment.

TRL 3–4
Architecture • Models • Calculations • Engineering Design

→ EXPERIMENTAL VALIDATION
Measurements • Model/Test Correlation • Building Block Qualification

→ INTEGRATION
Subsystems • Synchronisation • Control • Combined Testing

→ TRL 5
Representative Demonstrator • Measured Performance • Reproducible Data

BUILDING THE EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE

Quantum Drive is seeking industrial and scientific partners capable of providing the specialised expertise, testing capabilities and system integration resources required for this next stage.

The objective is to take the engineering work already completed into physical experimentation, convert it into measurable results and integrate the validated technologies into a representative demonstrator.

Experimental Validation • Technology Building Blocks • System Integration • Demonstrator • TRL 5

Detailed technical programme and engineering documentation are available to qualified partners under an appropriate confidentiality framework.