PORTSMOUTH, R.I. — June 09, 2026 : Raytheon, a business of RTX, has announced a $100 million investment to expand its manufacturing and testing facility in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, to increase production capacity for the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) radar and Patriot GEM-T missile components.
The expansion will include the recommissioning of an existing manufacturing building and the construction of a new radar test range. The project is expected to create approximately 150 high-tech jobs in the region.
Expansion to Support LTAMDS Program
A major part of the investment will be used to increase testing capacity for LTAMDS, the U.S. Army’s next-generation air and missile defense radar. The system is designed to provide 360-degree coverage and detect, track, and support the interception of advanced threats, including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones, aircraft, and hypersonic weapons.
Raytheon currently holds contracts to supply LTAMDS radars to the U.S. Army and Poland. The radar recently completed its ninth successful flight test, during which it tracked and supported the interception of a surrogate target.
Increasing testing capacity is expected to accelerate system qualification and support faster deliveries to customers.
Patriot GEM-T Production to Increase
The Portsmouth facility will also expand production of subcomponents for the Patriot Advanced Capability-2 Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical (GEM-T) interceptor.
The GEM-T missile serves as a primary interceptor within the Patriot air and missile defense system and is designed to defeat tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft. Demand for Patriot systems and interceptors has increased in recent years as countries continue to strengthen air and missile defense capabilities.
The expansion is intended to help meet growing production requirements and support both new system deliveries and existing Patriot operators.
Part of Broader Manufacturing Growth
The Rhode Island project is part of RTX’s broader effort to expand its defense manufacturing infrastructure. The announcement follows a $53 million expansion of Raytheon’s radar production facility in Andover, Massachusetts, announced in 2025.
It also comes after the U.S. Department of Defense awarded Raytheon a $904.6 million contract modification in April 2026 for LTAMDS low-rate initial production.
Longstanding Presence in Rhode Island
RTX has operated in Rhode Island for more than 60 years and currently employs more than 850 people in the state. The Portsmouth facility supports advanced radar development, combat systems, and undersea technology programs.
The new investment will further expand the site's role in supporting U.S. and allied air and missile defense programs while increasing production capacity for some of Raytheon’s key defense systems.
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