Arqit and Blue Bear Collaborate on Security of Autonomous Systems
Partnership in live operational scenarios to solve security challenges of autonomous systems
London, UK – 21 October 2021 – Arqit Quantum Inc. (“Arqit”), a global leader in quantum encryption technology, has entered into an agreement with Blue Bear Systems Research Ltd. (“Blue Bear”), a pioneering supplier of unmanned and autonomous systems for defence and civil customers.
The agreement will see the two companies jointly demonstrate the implementation of Arqit’s quantum encryption capabilities on Blue Bear unmanned systems in the critical land, maritime and aerospace domains.
Blue Bear has a variety of next generation unmanned and autonomous systems that are already deployed with its defence customers, and the application of QuantumCloudTM will provide Arqit’s provably secure encryption across its range of products. The Blue Bear Smart Connect™ avionics, which rapidly converts basic vehicles into highly autonomous vehicles tasked via its Centurion™ Swarm Mission System, will host QuantumCloud™. Blue Bear’s solutions use a communication architecture which is multi-layer with communication bearers ranging from SATCOMs, terrestrial datalinks to 5G. Its specific focus over the last twelve years is Multi-Domain Integrated operations, which optimise use of unmanned air, ground and maritime vehicles, and manned-unmanned teaming.
Blue Bear CEO Dr Yoge Patel said: “Arqit’s security solution is a superb addition to Blue Bear’s 5th generation modular, Open Architecture avionics solutions, which have accrued many flight hours for both singleton UAS and swarm UAS operations in highly complex use cases. We have been awaiting feasible solutions to robustly secure unmanned operations for many years and QuantumCloudTM offers all the attributes we seek.”
Arqit Founder, David Williams added: “Partnering with Blue Bear to apply QuantumCloud™ on autonomous systems in live environments is a great opportunity to demonstrate to new defence customers that Arqit has solved the security layer problem in the Joint All Domain Command and Control mission.”
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About Arqit
Arqit Quantum Inc. (“Arqit”) supplies a unique quantum encryption Platform-as-a-Service which makes the communications links of any networked device secure against current and future forms of attack – even from a quantum computer. Arqit’s product, QuantumCloud™, enables any device to download a lightweight software agent of less than 200 lines of code, which can create encryption keys in partnership with any other device. The keys are computationally secure, one-time use and zero trust. QuantumCloud™ can create limitless volumes of keys in limitless group sizes and can regulate the secure entrance and exit of a device in a group. The addressable market for QuantumCloud™ is every connected device.
On 3 September 2021, Arqit completed its business combination with Centricus Acquisition Corp. (“Centricus”) a special purpose acquisition company. The combined company has retained the name Arqit Quantum Inc. Arqit trades on Nasdaq under the ticker symbols “ARQQ” and “ARQQW”.
Media relations enquiries:
Arqit: Julie Moon
T: +44 7825 503 950
E: Julie.moon@arqit.uk
SEC Newgate: arqit@secnewgate.co.uk
Investor relations Enquiries:
Gateway: arqit@gatewayir.com
About Blue Bear
Blue Bear Systems Research (“Blue Bear”) is an agile Systems Integrator and a pioneer in Autonomous Systems. We design, manufacture, test and evaluate and supply end-to-end solutions at pace, always keeping our clients in the loop. We offer bespoke technical solutions, managed services, and products for unmanned systems in air, land and maritime domains.
Over the last six years, the company has won and delivered the critical Air Autonomy programmes that underpins the UK’s core capability in swarm autonomy for highly complex Concepts of Operations. The swarm solutions enable deployment of squads of multi-functional UAVs all collaborating and co-operating, with AI in the loop, to deliver missions with single ‘button-press’. Core to these pioneering solutions are Blue Bear Open Architecture avionics (on-board and off-board) that have been iteratively developed by the company since 2010 to provide next generation capability with compliance to international standards.
Media relations enquiries:
Blue Bear: Ian Williams-Wynn
T: +44 7595 350 044
E: Ian.Williams-Wynn@bbsr.co.uk
Caution About Forward-Looking Statements
This communication includes forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Arqit’s expectations and beliefs concerning future events and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. These factors are difficult to predict accurately and may be beyond Arqit’s control. Forward-looking statements in this communication or elsewhere speak only as of the date made. New uncertainties and risks arise from time to time, and it is impossible for Arqit to predict these events or how they may affect it. Except as required by law, Arqit does not have any duty to, and does not intend to, update or revise the forward-looking statements in this communication or elsewhere after the date this communication is issued. In light of these risks and uncertainties, investors should keep in mind that results, events or developments discussed in any forward-looking statement made in this communication may not occur. Uncertainties and risk factors that could affect Arqit’s future performance and cause results to differ from the forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to: (i) risks that the business combination disrupts Arqit’s current plans and operations, (ii) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Arqit related to the business combination, (iii) the ability to maintain the listing of Arqit’s securities on a national securities exchange, (iv) changes in the competitive and regulated industries in which Arqit operates, variations in operating performance across competitors, changes in laws and regulations affecting Arqit’s business and changes in the combined capital structure, (v) the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations after the completion of the business combination, and identify and realize additional opportunities, (vi) the potential inability of Arqit to convert its pipeline or orders in backlog into revenue, (vii) the potential inability of Arqit to successfully deliver its operational technology which is still in development, (viii) the risk of interruption or failure of Arqit’s information technology and communications system, (ix) the enforceability of Arqit’s intellectual property, and (x) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in Arqit’s final prospectus relating to the offer and sale of shares and warrants by certain selling securityholders named therein, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on October 12, 2021 and in subsequent filings with the SEC. While the list of factors discussed above and the list of factors presented in the final prospectus are considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements.
Released October 21, 2021