Mission
The mission of NSWC, Panama City Division is to conduct research, development, test and evaluation, and in-service support of mine warfare systems, mines, naval special warfare systems, diving and life support systems, amphibious and expeditionary maneuver warfare systems, and other missions that occur primarily in coastal (littoral) regions, and execute other responsibilities as assigned by Commander, Naval Surface Warfare Center.
Vision
Delivering relevant solutions in the littorals from seabed to space: For Today, Tomorrow, and the Navy after Next
History
NSWC Panama City Division's origins begin with mine countermeasures research conducted during World War II at the U.S. Naval Mine Warfare Test Station, Solomons, Maryland. In 1945, equipment, facilities, and personnel were transferred from that location to Panama City, Florida to occupy a 373-acre tract of land that was owned by the U.S. Navy and considered to be in a caretaker status. This same tract was used as a Naval Section Base in 1942, the U.S. Naval Amphibious Training Base in 1944, and was inactivated in June 1945. It was later established as the U.S. Navy Mine Countermeasures Station July 20, 1945.
By 1955, the Station achieved laboratory status and was renamed the U.S. Navy Mine Defense Laboratory in April 1955. Its mission included torpedo mine countermeasures, helicopter mine countermeasures, mine hunting and mine watching study projects, as well as other advanced countermeasures.
The laboratory became an activity of the Naval Research and Development Center, Carderock, Maryland Nov. 1, 1967, and was renamed the Naval Ship Research and Development Laboratory, Panama City, November 1968. A naval internal reorganization effort to combine several of the closely related R&D laboratories resulted in the Panama City and Annapolis laboratories being combined with the David Taylor Naval Ship Research and Development Center at Carderock.
In February 1972, it was renamed the Naval Coastal Systems Laboratory. Its mission expanded to include naval special warfare areas such as inshore undersea warfare and amphibious operations. In its separate command status, the laboratory reported directly to the Chief of Naval Material.
In March 1978, the name changed to Naval Coastal Systems Center (NCSC) to more accurately reflect the broad range of products and services provided and to bring its name into alignment with the other (then) sever RDT&E centers commanded by the Chief of Naval Material. Upon disestablishment of the NMC in 1985, NCSC reported to the Office of the Chief of Naval Research. From 1986, to 1991, NCSC reported to the Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command. In October 1991, it was realigned under the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA).
In January 1992, NCSC was re-designated the Coastal Systems Station, Dahlgren Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center, and reported to NAVSEA. Its mission was to support the mission of the Dahlgren Division by providing RDT&E and in-service engineering for mine warfare, special warfare, amphibious warfare, diving and other naval missions that take place primarily in the coastal region. By October 2007, Naval Coastal Systems Center Panama City was brought out from under Dahlgren Division and established as its own echelon 4 division within NAVSEA.
Today, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division is one of the major research, development, test and evaluation laboratories in the U.S. Navy and boasts a wide base of expertise in engineering and scientific disciplines. By October 2024, the command employed more than 1,600 civilian employees of which over 960 were scientists and engineers. NSWC PCD prides itself of being good stewards of the environment and taxpayer dollar. The command has a business base of more than $619 million of which $534 million goes back into the State of Florida through labor dollars, contract services, and local goods.
Throughout its existence, the mission, size and responsibilities have continued to grow to meet the increasing call for technical solutions made by our nation's warfighters.