The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center has entered a new partnership intermediary agreement with DEFENSEWERX, a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization, to establish an innovation hub called ERDCWERX in Vicksburg.

Called ERDCWERX, the hub is a force multiplier that leverages technology outreach, creates new collaboration channels, and accelerates product transition to the global market that directly benefits the military and the commercial sector.

ERDCWERX will also increase small business participation and effectively facilitate novel innovation, collaboration and workforce development principals and tools.

“ERDC is committed to strengthening a culture of innovation,” said Dr. David Pittman, ERDC director. “As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ world-class research and development organization, we are extending our reach through government, industry and academic collaborations to solve the toughest challenges facing our military and our nation today and into the future.”

ERDC is one of the most diverse engineering and scientific research organizations in the world, conducting $1 billion in innovative research each year in seven laboratories across four states. 

“ERDCWERX will be that platform for the Engineer Research Development Center to explore methods that will revolutionize the way its laboratories engage with our external partners, and how our external partners engage with us across government, industry and academia, with meaningful progress toward shared goals,” said Lynn Zanow, ERDC technology transfer officer.

“As the partnership intermediary, the ERDCWERX mission is to cultivate a vibrant ecosystem, shaping successful alliances to innovate and commercialize technologies that support the warfighter,” said Laurie Moncrieff, DEFENSEWERX executive director.

“Innovation thrives within a diverse group of people who agree to cooperate and are not afraid to challenge the status quo. Therefore, ERDCWERX will be reaching out across the region from varied sectors to build a collaborative ecosystem. New technologies are not only critical to our nation’s security, but also have a positive economic impact on society.”