IBM revealed plans to create a quantum computer with 1,040 qubits by linking two of its upcoming Nighthawk r3 chips. This move seeks to boost quantum processing power and operational speed by 2027, leveraging improvements in chip design and connectivity.
- Nighthawk r3 chip supports 520 qubits and 10,000 operations
- Two chips linked will create a 1,040-qubit system in 2027
- Customers report up to 19x speedups on current Nighthawk r2 chip
What happened
IBM announced its plan to link two next-generation quantum chips, called Nighthawk r3, into a single system with 1,040 usable qubits by 2027. Each Nighthawk r3 chip supports 520 qubits and is designed to perform 10,000 quantum operations. The design includes 10 connectors to enable joining multiple chips, facilitating this scale-up strategy.
This announcement follows reports from customers using the earlier Nighthawk r2 chip, which launched in September and features 120 qubits. Customers have experienced speed improvements up to 19 times compared to older Heron chips, demonstrating IBM's progress in increasing quantum computing performance through iterative chip upgrades.
Why it matters
Quantum computing progress hinges not just on qubit count but also on the speed and accuracy of results. IBM emphasizes that useful quantum computing depends on delivering results quickly and with high fidelity. By doubling the qubits through chip-linking while maintaining performance, IBM aims to overcome major scalability challenges in quantum hardware.
Linking chips at high accuracy is a key technical hurdle. IBM has achieved 99.3% accuracy in earlier chip linking but is still short of its 99.9% accuracy objective. Success in this area will enable larger, more powerful quantum systems and open new possibilities for computational tasks that are impractical for classical computers.
What to watch next
IBM’s roadmap includes not only the 1,040-qubit linked system by 2027 but also ambitions to deliver its first error-corrected quantum computer, codenamed Starling, by 2029. Error correction is critical to practical quantum computing, enabling longer, more reliable quantum calculations.
IBM is also expanding its quantum technology portfolio through strategic acquisitions such as HRL Laboratories, known for silicon qubit development. The company’s progress will be closely watched alongside rivals like Quantinuum, which recently raised significant capital, reflecting intensifying competition in the quantum technology landscape.