June 29, 2026 – Four U.S. Navy research and operational commands officially launched Gulf Coast Defense Catalyst (GCDC) on June 23, creating a regional partnership to strengthen the defense innovation ecosystem across the Gulf Coast. The partnership is designed to connect military technology needs with businesses, startups and universities best positioned to develop solutions.
The partnership was formalized through the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans by:
- Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic
- Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (CNMOC)
- Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC PCD)
- U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)