FOREST, Miss., — Raytheon, an RTX business, has completed a $50 million expansion of its manufacturing facility in Forest, Mississippi. The project adds 17,000 square feet of manufacturing space and increases the site's capacity to produce electronic warfare and radar systems.
The investment is expected to create 100 high-skilled jobs by 2028.
Facility Expands to 445,000 Square Feet
The expansion brings the Forest facility to 445,000 square feet of manufacturing space, making it one of the largest defense manufacturing locations in Mississippi.
Raytheon has invested $280 million across three expansions at the facility over the past decade. Previous projects included:
- A 20,000-square-foot expansion completed in 2013.
- A 50,000-square-foot radar production and testing center completed in 2020.
- The latest 17,000-square-foot expansion, supported by a $50 million investment.
Supporting Next Generation Jammer Production
The newly expanded space will support the production, testing and integration of Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) pods.
NGJ-MB is an electronic attack system developed for the U.S. Navy and Australian government. The system is designed to deny, disrupt and degrade enemy technology, including communications and air-defense systems.
Raytheon's Forest facility began low-rate initial production of NGJ-MB in 2021. The pods are used on the EA-18G Growler electronic warfare aircraft.
The expanded facility will also support other airborne radar programs as Raytheon increases manufacturing capacity.
Other Defense Programs
The Forest Consolidated Manufacturing Center supports several radar and electronic warfare programs.
Its work includes:
- Airborne radars for the F/A-18 and F-15.
- NGJ pods for the EA-18G Growler.
- Advanced Airborne Sensor systems for the P-8 Poseidon.
- Digital radar warning receivers.
- Sentinel ground-based radars.
- Other radar and electronic warfare systems.
The site also includes testing ranges and calibration capabilities supporting its manufacturing and testing activities.
Raytheon Expands Mississippi Workforce
“Completing this expansion underscores our long-term commitment to Forest and the state of Mississippi,” said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon.
She said the company is working with state and local partners to develop the workforce, infrastructure and capabilities needed to increase production in support of national defense programs.
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, also highlighted the expansion and the expected addition of 100 jobs.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves described the project as an economic development benefit for Scott County and an investment in U.S. national security.
40 Years of Operations in Forest
Raytheon has operated in the Forest community for 40 years. The company says its continued capital investment in the area also supports workforce development, education and local support networks.
The latest expansion increases the manufacturing footprint of the Forest site while providing additional capacity for radar and electronic warfare programs.
——— End of Article ———
