A $2 billion merger between a quantum computing company and a chip manufacturer became the epicenter of an unusual family spat between the FTC and the Pentagon. The deal’s completion marks a notable defeat for the Pentagon at a moment when Washington is routinely inserting itself into the private sector and is particularly focused on critical technologies such as quantum computing and developing more US-based chip manufacturers. ADFerguson agreed, and FTC staff spent months negotiating a settlement with IonQ that would have required SkyWater’s foundries to remain open to competitors. A Pentagon spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. Representatives for IonQ and Skywater did not respond to requests for comment.