The US Navy has a long wish list of applications for quantum computers, ranging from basic science – understanding corrosion, a fleet’s constant enemy – to more intriguing uses like war game simulations. Although quantum computers have rapidly improved in recent years, they are not yet capable of all these tasks, but that hasn’t stopped the military from dreaming up ways to use them.

“We are committed to the axiom that whatever legacy model is now successful will lead to [our] demise if it does not…