A three-way collaboration between Rolls-Royce, Xanadu, and Riverlane has demonstrated a faster route to modelling airflow through jet engines using quantum computing.
The project integrated Rolls-Royce’s test simulations with Xanadu’s PennyLane software and Riverlane’s quantum algorithms, yielding results indicating significant reductions in computational fluid dynamics run times. Airflow modelling is a critical part of designing engine components and is traditionally handled by classical supercomputers, which often require long processing periods for large datasets.
The partners’ prototype work shows how quantum-based workflows could compress weeks of computation into under an hour, creating the potential for faster and more efficient design cycles across complex industrial systems. Their progress strengthens cross-border efforts to embed quantum capability in commercial engineering, supported by joint funding from the UK and Canadian governments.
Leigh Lapworth, Rolls-Royce Fellow, Computational Science said, “This has been a hugely successful collaboration, which has significantly advanced our quantum applications capability. The single-minded focus on fault tolerant quantum algorithms has put us and our partners in a leading position as we enter the error-corrected era.”
Rolls-Royce contributed quantum application development, Riverlane delivered algorithmic advances, and Xanadu optimised the quantum-classical program through its Catalyst compiler, creating a proof of concept that demonstrates the growing readiness of quantum technology for industrial use.
