Orca Computing has deployed two PT Series photonic quantum systems at Montana State University’s (MSU) Applied Quantum CORE (QCORE) facility, in the EngineWorks building on MSU’s Innovation Campus.

According to Ocra, the two systems were installed and fully operational within two days and will be used to demonstrate how quantum computing can accelerate the development of new therapeutic structures.

MSU acquired the two PT-1 systems in 2024, becoming UK-based Orca’s first US customer.

Speaking to DCD last year following the purchase, Professor Yves Idzerda, Dean of College of Letters and Science, MSU, said that the university selected the Orca machines because they’re working, modular systems that will allow the team to move things around or change them when necessary.

“By having a working system that has all the modularity you would like, it means we don't have to buy a new quantum computer every three years,” Professor Idzerda said at the time, adding that the university needed systems that were easy to install and flexible in terms of how they could be configured and upgraded across the course of their lifetime.

A “broad” Memorandum of Understanding was also signed by the two organizations following the purchase, meaning Orca will support MSU for as long as the university has its PT-1 systems deployed.

The QCORE program is a $26.7 million initiative supported by the US Air Force and which oversees the transition of quantum technologies from concept to market. MSU will this week host a ‘Grand Challenges in Quantum Systems’ summit to mark the opening of the new facility, during which technology demonstrations and panel discussions related to research, technology development, and quantum supply chain coordination will take place.

“The activation of Orca’s photonic quantum systems marks a significant milestone for MSU,” said Dr. Krishna Rupavatharam, QCORE CTO at MSU. “These advanced capabilities will drive new research and commercialization opportunities and will also strengthen our efforts to build education pathways and a quantum-ready workforce.”

Richard Murray, co-founder and CEO of Orca Computing, added: “Montana State is building a reputation as a serious hub for applied quantum R&D. We’re proud to be part of the story and excited to support QCORE’s mission of turning quantum potential into practical outcomes.”

Founded in 2019 as a spin-out from Oxford University, Orca Computing is a photonic quantum computing company that uses optical fiber to build systems that do not need to be cryogenically cooled. To date, Orca has deployed ten on-premises PT Series units, including the two at MSU.

In October 2024, Orca launched the PT-1’s successor, the PT-2, offering “quantum-enhanced machine learning capabilities,” which can be integrated with Nvidia’s CUDA-Q development platform and combined with existing generative AI models to support industrial-scale quantum AI.

In June 2025, Orca deployed a PT-2 photonic quantum computer at the UK’s National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC).