IonQ has completed its $1.8 billion acquisition of SkyWater Technology, a US-based semiconductor foundry. This deal came after the US Federal Trade Commission cleared the transaction early, speeding up the process. SkyWater now operates as a subsidiary of IonQ, keeping its name and leadership.
Thomas Sonderman, SkyWater’s CEO, will continue leading the company and report directly to IonQ’s chairman and CEO, Niccolo de Masi. Sonderman said joining IonQ marks a key moment for SkyWater. He highlighted that SkyWater is the largest semiconductor foundry fully based in the US. The company already serves public and private sectors with advanced development and manufacturing services.
SkyWater will keep running its three facilities in Minnesota, Florida, and Texas. It will continue delivering wafer and advanced packaging services along with atomic clocks and quantum interconnects. These technologies support aerospace, defense, and commercial markets. The company will also incorporate IonQ’s quantum technologies to expand its offerings.
Bringing Quantum Tech to Manufacturing
IonQ aims to use SkyWater’s manufacturing strength to speed up quantum computing development. The combined resources will improve manufacturing timelines and reduce wafer iteration times. IonQ plans to enable parallel wafer prototyping, which should boost production efficiency for quantum hardware.
The acquisition fits IonQ’s broader goal to build a full US quantum supply chain. This chain will cover design, manufacturing, and service upgrades. It aligns with the Department of War’s initiatives, including the Microelectronics Commons network, helping strengthen domestic quantum tech capabilities.
De Masi said acquiring SkyWater crystallizes IonQ’s vision. He sees the company as a technology leader and merchant supplier across the quantum industry. IonQ invests in capabilities from quantum foundry and advanced packaging to manufacturing and commercialization. This acquisition aims to accelerate quantum platforms industry-wide.
Looking Ahead to Quantum Advances
IonQ is targeting the functional testing of its 200,000-qubit quantum processing units by 2028. The company aims to achieve over 8,000 ultra-high fidelity logical qubits, a major step toward fault-tolerant quantum computing. SkyWater will also supply quantum sensors and networking solutions under IonQ’s ownership.
SkyWater will support seven markets, including aerospace and defense, commercial sectors, and emerging tech like AI and the Internet of Things. IonQ expects the acquisition to boost its federal division’s focus on quantum solutions for government and defense. The deal follows IonQ’s previous $1.07 billion acquisition of Oxford Ionics in September 2025.
SkyWater shareholders received $15.00 in cash and 0.4883 shares of IonQ common stock for each share they owned. Sonderman emphasized that SkyWater remains fully committed to semiconductor foundry customers. He also said the company will expand its quantum sensing and networking solutions for partners and clients.
IonQ’s recent launch of the Clavis XG Multiplex quantum key distribution product shows its drive to push quantum applications forward. With SkyWater’s manufacturing muscle, IonQ is closer to turning quantum research into real-world technology.
Based on
- IonQ closes $1.8bn SkyWater acquisition after US FTC clearance — techmonitor.ai
- As Federal Funding Floods the Drone Market, Quantum Cyber N.V. Is Worth Watching (Nasdaq: QUCY) | Currency News | Financial and Business News | Markets Insider — markets.businessinsider.com
- Quantum computing roundup: Still more technologies making waves – Ars Technica — arstechnica.com
- Quantum computing roundup: Still more technologies making waves | Ars OpenForum — arstechnica.com
- China’s reported chip breakthrough comes with some big caveats — cnbc.com
