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IBM, Lockheed Martin Announce Swiss Quantum Innovation Hub at ETH Zurich, Anchored by Switzerland's First IBM Quantum Computer

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IBM, Lockheed Martin Announce Swiss Quantum Innovation Hub at ETH Zurich, Anchored by Switzerland's First IBM Quantum Computer
Business

Business

IBM, Lockheed Martin Announce Swiss Quantum Innovation Hub at ETH Zurich, Anchored by Switzerland's First IBM Quantum Computer

2026-09-10 15:00 Last Updated At:15:15

In an extension of ongoing collaboration, IBM and Lockheed Martin plan to initiate research projects with select Swiss academic institutions.

The Swiss National Supercomputing Centre at ETH Zurich will host an IBM Quantum System Two, expanding access across Swiss institutions to fuel the country's quantum ecosystem, research and workforce education.

ZURICH, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), through an offset agreement with armasuisse, Switzerland's Federal Office for Defence Procurement, today established a hub for quantum innovation at ETH Zurich, a prominent public research university. The new hub plans to host the country's first IBM Quantum System Two at the Swiss National Supercomputing Center (CSCS) in Lugano.

IBM will operate the IBM Quantum System Two, which will be powered by an IBM Quantum Nighthawk, the company's most advanced processor. ETH Zurich will provide expertise, resources and technologies for Swiss industries, startups and academia, including access to the quantum computer. Its delivery is expected to catalyze the development of new algorithms, technical breakthroughs, and industrial use cases, as well as anchor initiatives to foster Switzerland's workforce and talent. The project also advances the ongoing strategic collaboration between Lockheed Martin and IBM, combining Lockheed Martin innovations in quantum sensing and additive manufacturing with IBM's expertise in quantum computing and AI.

"Switzerland is deservedly recognized as a hub for global innovation, and Lockheed Martin is proud of its long history of technical collaboration within the country," said Dr. Craig Martell, Lockheed Martin vice president and chief technology officer. "This project extends the strategic relationship between Lockheed Martin and IBM in quantum and AI while positioning Switzerland as a leader in these critical, cutting-edge fields. It provides resources and expertise, develops skills and enables joint research across the Swiss commercial, defense and academic ecosystem."

"IBM has collaborated with institutions in Switzerland for almost 100 years. Our research team at our Zurich lab has led fundamental technology breakthroughs for the world and has been part of the country's science ecosystem for decades," said Alessandro Curioni, vice president, Algorithms and Applications, IBM Research and director of the Zurich Research Laboratory. "As we continue to foster innovation with the Swiss community, we are excited to have the opportunity to put world-class quantum hardware, software and expertise directly into the hands of Switzerland's thriving academic institutions and industries."

"Switzerland will gain access to essential research infrastructure that will enable us to further advance the exploration of this emerging technology and educate the talent needed to support it," said ETH Zurich President Joël Mesot, emphasizing the opportunities the new quantum computer will bring to Switzerland.

Delivering quantum to the Swiss ecosystem

Organizations that join the innovation hub through ETH Zurich will have immediate access to these resources and IBM's fleet of quantum computers available over the cloud. Additionally, upon the system's deployment by the end of 2026, ETH Zurich will provide organizations with access to Switzerland's own dedicated IBM Quantum System Two. These capabilities will enable the country's community of innovators to accelerate scientific and industrial research and build new use cases across chemistry, materials science, optimization, financial services and more. Today, IBM quantum computers are already delivering scientific value across the globe as useful tools in these fields.

IBM and Lockheed Martin expand joint research initiatives

As part of the collaboration, two planned joint development projects between IBM and Lockheed Martin include the exploration of quantum sensing applications for navigation and the improvement of additive manufacturing of metallic alloys. These projects also complement ongoing efforts by IBM and Lockheed Martin across a range of advanced technologies focused on aerospace and defense innovation.

IBM and ETH Zurich build on a legacy of collaboration

This initiative also builds upon a close and long-standing collaboration between IBM and ETH Zurich, including a recently launched 10-year effort to advance foundational algorithmic research.

The quantum education and workforce development effort includes providing the Swiss ecosystem with access to the IBM Quantum Network and IBM Quantum Platform learning offerings, including coursework, certifications, and workshops; as well as event support, such as hackathons, conferences, and partner forums.

About IBM

IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of governments and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.

Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

About Lockheed Martin

Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at Lockheedmartin.com.

Media contacts:

Chris Nay
IBM Communications
cnay@us.ibm.com

Stephen Funk
IBM DACH Communications
+41-58 333 78 68
stephen.funk@ch.ibm.com

Trent Perrotto
Communications Director, Technology Transformation and Innovation, Lockheed Martin
trent.perrotto@lmco.com
O: 301-581-7005 | M: 321-272-8027

** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

IBM, Lockheed Martin Announce Swiss Quantum Innovation Hub at ETH Zurich, Anchored by Switzerland's First IBM Quantum Computer

IBM, Lockheed Martin Announce Swiss Quantum Innovation Hub at ETH Zurich, Anchored by Switzerland's First IBM Quantum Computer

IBM, Lockheed Martin Announce Swiss Quantum Innovation Hub at ETH Zurich, Anchored by Switzerland's First IBM Quantum Computer

IBM, Lockheed Martin Announce Swiss Quantum Innovation Hub at ETH Zurich, Anchored by Switzerland's First IBM Quantum Computer

  • New 3 GW power generation engine production facility to be built in Ulsan, targeting full-scale operations in 2028
  • Dedicated manufacturing facility for key SMR equipment to be established; global SMR market projected to grow to 150 GW by 2050
  • "We will secure core competitiveness in power generation engines and SMRs to lead the global AI infrastructure market"

SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- HD Hyundai Heavy Industries disclosed on the 10th that it will invest a total of KRW 1.0722 trillion to build a new power generation engine production facility and a dedicated manufacturing facility for small modular reactors (SMRs).

The investment is aimed at strengthening the company's future competitiveness in land-based power generation engines and SMRs.

First, the company will invest KRW 833.6 billion to build a new 3-gigawatt (GW) production facility for its HiMSEN engines in Onsan-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan.

The new production complex will span approximately 215,000 square meters and include an engine assembly and testing facility, a crankshaft machining facility, and an engine block casting facility. Construction is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of next year, with completion targeted for May 2028 and full-scale operations to commence thereafter.

The investment is designed to accelerate HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' expansion into the land-based power generation market by leveraging decades of expertise accumulated in marine engines and proactively responding to surging power demand from AI data centers.

Through the expansion, HD Hyundai expects to secure annual production capacity of 4 GW for land-based power generation engines. The company will also improve production efficiency by operating separate production bases for HiMSEN engines.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' main Ulsan facility will focus on HiMSEN engines for marine applications, while the new facility and HD Hyundai Engine in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province, will specialize in HiMSEN engines for land-based power generation.

HD Hyundai expects the increased production efficiency from this dual-base production structure to expand its total HiMSEN engine production capacity for both marine and land-based power generation applications from the current 3 GW to 7.2 GW by 2030.

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries will also invest KRW 238.6 billion to establish a dedicated manufacturing facility for key SMR equipment, with SMRs increasingly recognized as a next-generation energy source. The facility will be built on the premises of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries' Ulsan shipyard, with completion targeted for the first half of 2029.

SMRs are next-generation nuclear reactors that generate less power than conventional large-scale nuclear plants and use modularized key components. They offer the advantage of providing a stable supply of electricity while helping reduce carbon emissions. Interest in SMRs has been growing rapidly amid the increase in AI data centers, which require large amounts of power around the clock.

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the global SMR market is projected to grow rapidly to 150 GW by 2050. Meanwhile, only a limited volume of key SMR equipment has so far been secured for manufacturing and supply, indicating significant potential for future growth.

"This investment is aimed at securing core competitiveness in power generation engines and SMRs, which are emerging as new sources of electricity in the AI era," an HD Hyundai Heavy Industries official said. "We will proactively respond to rapidly growing power demand and take the lead in the global AI infrastructure market."

Earlier this year, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries made a full-scale entry into the U.S. data center power infrastructure market by signing power generation equipment supply contracts with Aperion Energy Group and Corban Energy Group in April and August, respectively, valued at KRW 627.1 billion and KRW 956.0 billion.

** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to Invest KRW 1 Trillion in Future Engine and SMR Businesses

HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to Invest KRW 1 Trillion in Future Engine and SMR Businesses

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