Raytheon (NYSE: RTX), a business unit of RTX, has finished a 17,000 square-foot expansion of its Forest, Mississippi manufacturing facility, backed by a $50 million capital investment.
The project is expected to create 100 high-skill jobs by 2028, strengthening the region’s workforce and deepening Raytheon’s presence in the state.
The expanded Forest site now spans 445,000 square feet of manufacturing space, making it one of the largest defense manufacturing plants in Mississippi.
Over the past decade, Raytheon has completed three facility expansions at the Forest location, totaling $280 million in cumulative capital investment.
Previous expansions included a 20,000 square-foot addition in 2013 and a 50,000 square-foot radar production and testing facility completed in 2020.
The newest expansion will serve as a hub for production, testing, and integration of Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band pods for both the U.S. Navy and the Australian government.
Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon, said, “Completing this expansion underscores our long-term commitment to Forest and the state of Mississippi.”
Borgonovi added, “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.”
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves praised the project, saying, “Raytheon’s expansion is not only a great economic development win for Mississippi but also an important investment in America’s national security.”
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said, “Rebuilding the American Arsenal creates more opportunities and more jobs right here at home.”
Wicker continued, “These are critical jobs modernizing our military and supporting our troops, work Mississippi families can be proud of.”
Raytheon has maintained a presence in the Forest community for 40 years, consistently investing in local workforce development, education, and community support networks.
RTX, the parent company, employs more than 180,000 people globally and reported 2025 sales of more than $88 billion, with its headquarters located in Arlington, Virginia.
