Mission Partner/Ecosystem Access

The Aerospace and Defense Alliance of Mississippi (ADAM) is Mississippi’s industry alliance for aerospace and defense companies, giving the sector a stronger collective platform for advocacy, visibility, and business development. ADAM represents Mississippi’s industry on policy, hosts the annual Mississippi Aerospace and Defense Symposium, and joins GCBC and Hancock County Port & Harbor in carrying Mississippi’s story to the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs. ADAM’s growth from 12 members in 2021 to more than 60 today reflects the strength of Mississippi’s industry voice—built in partnership with MSET, which used a DoW-funded ecosystem study to transform its former membership structure into ADAM and create durable industry infrastructure for the state.

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ERDCWERX is a public-private innovation platform that extends the reach of the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) by connecting its scientists and engineers with industry, academia, and startups to accelerate dual-use technology. As the link for direct access to ERDC’s world-class labs, ERDCWERX brings Mississippi companies and researchers a direct line to federal R&D capability that would otherwise be hard to access—translating government science into commercial and defense-ready solutions in the state.

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The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) is the nationwide network that facilitates the commercialization of research and technology developed at more than 300 federal labs and centers. FLC opens a clearer pathway for Mississippi companies, researchers, and universities to access federal IP and licensing pipelines—particularly those tied to Stennis-resident agencies and nearby ERDC capabilities.

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The Gulf Coast Business Council (GCBC) is the region’s leading business advocacy and economic development organization, shaping priorities and amplifying the Gulf Coast’s competitive strengths in workforce, infrastructure, and industry recruitment. MSET collaborates with GCBC to position Mississippi’s aerospace, defense, and technology story beyond state lines—ensuring Gulf Coast business leadership is connected to statewide growth strategy.

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The Marine Technology Society (MTS) is an international professional society advancing ocean and marine technology, with strong participation from the Stennis and Gulf Coast marine science community through its local sections. MTS plugs Mississippi’s oceanographic, geospatial, and marine technology firms into national research communities and emerging commercial opportunities—reinforcing the state’s Blue Economy through a global professional network.

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The Mississippi Defense Initiative (MDI) at USM’s Trent Lott National Center positions the university and the state to better serve defense-related missions, partnerships, and workforce needs across the region. MDI builds the bridge between university capability and real-world industry and government demand—particularly around defense policy, supply chain resilience, and workforce priorities critical to Mississippi’s defense base.

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