Raytheon, a business unit of RTX (NYSE: RTX), has completed a major 17,000 square-foot expansion of its manufacturing facility in Forest, Mississippi.
The $50 million capital investment is designed to boost production capacity for electronic warfare and radar systems critical to national defense programs.
The expansion is expected to generate 100 high-skill jobs in the Forest area by 2028, providing a significant economic lift to Scott County.
Raytheon’s Forest facility now spans 445,000 square feet of manufacturing space, making it among the largest defense manufacturing plants in Mississippi.
Over the past decade, the company has completed three separate facility expansions at the Forest site 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 newly expanded space will serve as a production, test, and integration hub for Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band pods for both the U.S. Navy and the Australian government.
Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon, emphasized the company’s regional commitment, stating: “Completing this expansion underscores our long-term commitment to Forest and the state of Mississippi.”
Borgonovi added that the company is working alongside government partners to build lasting capacity: “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 investment as both an economic and national security achievement, saying: “Raytheon’s expansion is not only a great economic development win for Mississippi but also an important investment in America’s national security.”
Reeves continued: “This project will build on our state’s proud legacy while bringing 100 high-skill jobs to Forest. It’s another big win for Scott County and Mississippi.”
U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, also weighed in on the significance of the expansion for American defense readiness.
“Rebuilding the American Arsenal creates more opportunities and more jobs right here at home,” Wicker said, highlighting the military modernization aspect of the project.
Raytheon has maintained a presence in the Forest community for 40 years, investing in local workforce development, education, and community support networks throughout that time.
RTX, headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, employs more than 180,000 people globally and reported 2025 sales of more than $88 billion across its business units.
