News Release
Department of Transportation Names CNA ARPA-I Ideas Challenge Semifinalist
CNA has been selected as one of 15 semifinalists in the US Department of Transportation Advanced Research Projects Agency – Infrastructure (ARPA-I) Ideas and Innovation Challenge. CNA’s Quantum Cooperative Air Traffic Simulation (Q-CATS) will compete for Stage 2 funding of up to $700,000 to develop a groundbreaking quantum computing framework to address the looming crisis of urban airspace congestion.
ARPA-I chose the 15 semifinalist teams from 448 submissions. The Ideas and Innovation Challenge seeks bold, transformative solutions to enhance America’s infrastructure, improve safety, and cut costs for the department.
“We are honored to be selected by the ARPA-I team,” said Program Director Steven Habicht at CNA. “Q-CATS represents exactly the kind of innovative solution ARPA-I is looking for—leveraging cutting-edge quantum computing to solve a critical infrastructure challenge that will impact millions of Americans as our skies fill with delivery drones, air taxis, and other autonomous aircraft.”
“From the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk to the space age, American ingenuity has always led on the frontier of innovation in transportation,” said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy when announcing the semifinalists. “These projects represent the best and brightest, next-generation ideas to propel us forward.”
CNA will receive $20,000 as a semifinalist and has been invited to present Q-CATS at the department’s Innovation Workshop today in Washington, DC.
“CNA is committed to investing in the future,” said CNA President and CEO Dr. Katherine McGrady. “Q-CATS is proof that these investments can have a real impact on the safety and security of the nation.”
The Q-CATS project team is made up of Dr. Rebekah Yang, Mark Lozano, John Bro, Dr. Matthew Prebble, and Dr. Steven Habicht.
CNA is a not-for-profit analytical organization dedicated to the safety and security of the nation. With nearly 700 scientists, analysts, and professional staff across the world, CNA's mission is to provide data-driven, innovative solutions to our nation's toughest problems. It operates the Center for Naval Analyses—the Department of the Navy’s federally funded research and development center (FFRDC)—as well as the Institute for Public Research. The Center for Naval Analyses provides objective analytics to inform the decision-making by military leaders and ultimately improve the lethality and effectiveness of the joint force. The Institute for Public Research leverages data analytics and innovative methods to support federal, state, and local government officials as they work to advance national and homeland security.
Note to writers and editors: CNA is not an acronym and is correctly referenced as “CNA, an independent not-for-profit analytical organization.” Please do not refer to us as a think tank.