IBM has announced a major leap in the race for practical quantum computing, unveiling two cutting-edge quantum processors and a suite of supporting technologies. The IBM Quantum Nighthawk, with 120 qubits, is designed to achieve quantum advantage by 2026 — the point where a quantum computer outperforms any known classical method. It features an innovative layout with 218 tunable couplers, enabling circuits 30% more complex than what was previously possible with the Heron chip.
The second chip, IBM Quantum Loon, includes 112 qubits and all necessary hardware components for real-time quantum error correction — a major milestone toward fully fault-tolerant quantum computing by 2029.
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In addition to the new chips, IBM introduced an open Quantum Advantage Tracker in collaboration with industry partners. This tool monitors and validates real-world problems where quantum computing is poised to outperform classical techniques.
IBM also announced software advancements: updates in the Qiskit framework increased dynamic circuit accuracy by 24%, and novel error mitigation methods — powered by HPC — reduced the cost of accurate results by 100x.
Switching to 300mm silicon wafers allowed IBM to double the chip development speed and scale the physical complexity of quantum processors by 10x, paving the way for devices with thousands of qubits.
📅 Date: November 14, 2025
In summary, IBM’s announcement signals a strategic leap into the quantum future. With Nighthawk targeting real-world advantage and Loon laying the foundation for reliable quantum memory, the company positions itself as a leader in pushing quantum tech from theory to industrial impact.