IBM outlines Quantum Nighthawk r3 processor, quantum roadmap

IBM updated its roadmap for quantum computing with its IBM Quantum Nighthawk r3 processor as the headliner.

According to IBM, Quantum Nighthawk r3 will be able to execute 10,000 quantum operations across 520 qubits. The company added that it will link two Nighthawk r3 processors in a single systems with more than 1,000 qubits in 2027.

In a statement, Jay Gambetta, Director of IBM Research and IBM Fellow, said the Nighthawk line of quantum processors is critical to scaling its quantum computing architecture and integrate with classical high-performance computing.

The announcement of IBM Quantum Nighthawk r3 is a fast follow to the Nighthawk r2 processor that was deployed in September. IBM Quantum Nighthawk r2 delivers up to 100,000 samples per second while supporting accurate computations with more than 7,500 quantum applications.

IBM Quantum Nighthawk r3 has the same architecture as the predecessor as well as interconnects and connectivity.

The latest Nighthawk announcement comes after IBM, AMD and the Quantum Science Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) announced a co-design platform for quantum error correction that combines quantum and high-performance computing. According to IBM, the first deployment combines IBM's quantum computers with 120-qubit IBM Quantum Nighthawk processors and ORNL's high-performance system with AMD Instinct MI355X GPUs and 5th Gen AMD EPYC CPUs.

With the system, researchers will be able to evaluate the integration of HPC and quantum to improve error correction research.

Big Blue is racing to build out its quantum computing stack for the launch of its Starling system in 2029. However, the competition isn't exactly standing still as Quantinuum is pursuing a complete integrated quantum stack with hardware and software. Intel picked up Classiq to offer a full stack. Meanwhile, IonQ and other quantum pure plays are scaling.

Recent developments include:

• Quantinuum sets Nexus quantum software roadmap through 2029, reports Q3
• Intel buys Classiq, expands into quantum computing software
• Quantum computing: Where we stand in 2026

Here's a look at IBM's quantum roadmap and where Nighthawk r3 fits in.