At a Glance
- $2.4 million contract for a quantum-sensor prototype and AI database.
- CBP seeks to detect fentanyl and other illicit substances in vehicles, containers and other devices.
- The project builds on a July 2025 request for 35 handheld Gemini analyzers from Thermo Fisher Scientific.
United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is investing a hefty $2.4 million to develop a prototype of “quantum sensors” paired with an artificial-intelligence database that could spot fentanyl and other contraband in real time. The contract, public since December 2025, reflects the agency’s broader push to deploy AI across the Department of Homeland Security.
Background: AI and Quantum in Border Security
The federal register entry explains that CBP’s goal is to “enhance its ability to detect, and thus, significantly reduce the harms of illicit contraband entering the United States of America, thus bolstering national security.” The justification also notes that the agency has been “conducting market research from April through October 2025” to identify suitable technologies.
Key Points from the Contract Justification
- CBP will “integrate advanced quantum and classical sensing technologies with Artificial Intelligence and ultimately deploy proven concepts and end products anywhere in the CBP environment.”
- The project is part of a wider DHS strategy to “support the adoption and scaling of AI technologies,” a memorandum published last year.
- No company name is disclosed in the justification, but the contract details reveal General Dynamics as the contractor.
The $2.4 Million General Dynamics Prototype
The contract is a $2.4 million purchase for a prototype that will combine quantum sensors with an AI database. While the federal register does not specify the exact sensing methods, it does hint at the use of quantum chemistry and classical spectroscopy.
> “This database and sensor project will integrate advanced quantum and classical sensing technologies with Artificial Intelligence and ultimately deploy proven concepts and end products anywhere in the CBP environment,” the justification document reads.
CBP and General Dynamics did not respond to requests for comment. The lack of public detail leaves many questions about the prototype’s capabilities.
What the Sensors Might Do
The justification does not detail the exact technology, but it references several detection methods that CBP has considered:
| Detection Method | Principle | Potential Use in Prototype |
|---|---|---|
| Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) | Measures infrared absorption | Used in Thermo Fisher’s Gemini analyzers |
| Raman Spectroscopy | Measures light scattering from a laser | Also used in Gemini analyzers |
| Quantum Dots & Fluorescent Dye | Quantum-chemistry based detection | Mentioned in a 2024 research paper for fentanyl |
> “The detection equipment will be used by CBP Officers in non-intrusive testing to detect a wide range of narcotics, controlled substances, unknown substances, and general organic materials,” the July request states.
The prototype may incorporate any combination of these methods, but the exact mix remains undisclosed.
Market Research and the Gemini Analyzers
In July 2025, CBP issued an information request for exactly 35 handheld “Gemini” analyzers from Thermo Fisher Scientific. The devices are designed to identify unknown chemicals and narcotics, including fentanyl, ketamine, cocaine, methamphetamine, diazepam, and MDMA.
> “The devices would be used to identify substances like fentanyl, ketamine, cocaine, methamphetamine, diazepam, and MDMA,” the request notes.
Thermo Fisher confirmed that its Gemini analyzers are “designed to detect fentanyl,” countering a claim that a similar American handheld analyzer could not detect the drug. The Gemini uses both FTIR and Raman spectroscopy, but the federal register does not state whether the General Dynamics prototype will adopt the same approach.
Timeline of CBP’s Sensor Development
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April-October 2025 | CBP conducts market research on sensing technologies |
| July 2025 | CBP requests 35 Gemini analyzers from Thermo Fisher |
| December 2025 | $2.4 million contract with General Dynamics becomes public |
| 2024 | Research paper describes quantum-dot detection of fentanyl |
Challenges in Fentanyl Detection
Portable Raman spectrometers and other handheld devices can “struggle with detection of fentanyl” and may produce false-positive or false-negative results, according to a 2024 working paper. This uncertainty underscores why CBP is exploring advanced quantum-based methods.
The 2024 paper also explains how quantum dots and fluorescent dyes can detect fentanyl and 58 of its analogues, offering a potential path forward for the prototype.
Implications for Border Security
By integrating quantum sensors and AI, CBP aims to:
- Detect a broader range of narcotics non-intrusively.
- Reduce the harms of illicit contraband entering the United States.
- Strengthen national security by intercepting dangerous substances before they cross the border.
The initiative reflects a growing trend within DHS to harness cutting-edge technology for homeland security.
Key Takeaways
- CBP has secured a $2.4 million contract with General Dynamics for a quantum-sensor prototype and AI database.
- The project builds on a July 2025 request for 35 Gemini analyzers, which use FTIR and Raman spectroscopy.
- Detection methods under consideration include quantum-dot fluorescence, FTIR, Raman, and classical sensing.
- Portable spectrometers face challenges with fentanyl detection, prompting the exploration of quantum-based alternatives.
- The prototype’s exact specifications remain undisclosed, but its deployment could transform CBP’s ability to intercept illicit drugs.
CBP’s quantum-sensor program is still in the early stages, but the $2.4 million investment signals a serious commitment to advanced technology in the fight against drug smuggling.
