Raytheon has completed a $50 million expansion of its manufacturing facility in Forest, Mississippi, strengthening production capacity for electronic warfare and radar systems while adding high-skilled jobs.
Raytheon has completed a 17,000-square-foot expansion of its Forest manufacturing facility following a $50 million capital investment. The expansion is expected to create 100 high-skilled jobs by 2028 and increase the site’s capacity to support critical defence programmes.
The expanded facility will serve as a hub for the production, testing and integration of Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) pods for the US Navy and the Australian government. It will also support production activities for other airborne radar programmes.
“Completing this expansion underscores our long-term commitment to Forest and the state of Mississippi,” said Barbara Borgonovi, President, Naval Power, Raytheon. “Together with state and local partners, we’re building the workforce, infrastructure and capabilities needed to boost production in support of critical national defense programs.”
Following the expansion, Raytheon’s Forest site now covers approximately 445,000 square feet of manufacturing space, making it one of the largest defence manufacturing facilities in Mississippi.
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The latest investment forms part of Raytheon’s broader, decade-long expansion programme at the Forest site. The company has completed three facility expansions over the past 10 years, representing a combined capital investment of $280 million. These include a 20,000-square-foot addition completed in 2013 and a 50,000-square-foot radar production and testing facility completed in 2020.
The expansion comes as defence manufacturers continue to increase production capacity and strengthen supply chains for advanced electronic warfare and airborne radar systems.
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said the project represents both an economic development opportunity for the state and an investment in US national security, highlighting the creation of 100 high-skilled jobs in Forest.
US Senator Roger Wicker, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, also welcomed the investment, noting its contribution to expanding domestic manufacturing capacity and supporting the modernisation of US military capabilities.
Raytheon has been part of the Forest community for 40 years and continues to invest in the region’s workforce, education and local support networks.
The latest expansion further positions the Forest facility as an important manufacturing and integration centre supporting defence programmes for the US and its allies.
