Raytheon expands Mississippi plant with $50M boost for radar and electronic warfare

Raytheon has completed a $50 million expansion of its manufacturing facility in Forest, Mississippi, adding 17,000 square feet of space to increase production of electronic warfare and radar systems. The expansion is expected to create 100 high-skill jobs by 2028 and brings the facility’s total manufacturing space to 445,000 square feet. The new space will support production, testing and integration of Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band (NGJ-MB) pods for the US Navy and Australian government, along with other airborne radar programs. The NGJ-MB is an electronic warfare system designed to help aircraft disrupt or degrade enemy radar and communications. Increasing manufacturing capacity for the system could help Raytheon meet demand from the US and allied militaries. More room for electronic warfare The Forest facility has become a major manufacturing site for Raytheon’s defense systems. The latest expansion follows three projects over the past decade that together represented $280 million in capital investment. Those projects included a 20,000-square-foot addition in 2013 and a 50,000-square-foot radar production and testing facility completed in 2020. The new expansion is aimed at more than simply increasing floor space. It is intended to provide additional capacity for the production and integration of complex defense electronics, where manufacturing and testing requirements can be extensive. “Completing this expansion underscores our long-term commitment to Forest and the state of Mississippi,” said Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at 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.” The investment comes as militaries are placing greater emphasis on electronic warfare, airborne sensing and the ability to operate in environments where communications and radar systems may be contested. Scaling systems for allied forces Raytheon’s Forest operation has supported the company for 40 years and is now one of Mississippi’s largest defense manufacturing plants. The facility’s expanded capacity will be used for systems serving both US and allied forces. The NGJ-MB pods are being produced for the US Navy and Australia, giving the manufacturing expansion an international role. Electronic warfare systems such as NGJ-MB are carried by aircraft and use advanced electronics to interfere with or counter hostile electromagnetic systems. Radar programs, meanwhile, provide the sensing capabilities needed to detect and track objects in the air. The combination means the expanded facility will support two closely connected areas of modern warfare: finding threats and operating when an adversary is trying to prevent that detection or communication. The project is also expected to expand the skilled workforce at the site. Raytheon plans to add 100 high-skill positions by 2028, extending the manufacturing site’s role beyond its current 445,000 square feet. “Rebuilding the American Arsenal creates more opportunities and more jobs right here at home. Today, our partners at Raytheon are expanding their manufacturing capacity and bringing 100 new jobs to Forest, Mississippi. These are critical jobs modernizing our military and supporting our troops – work Mississippi families can be proud of.” The expansion reflects a broader effort to increase domestic manufacturing capacity for defense technologies while supporting production for US allies. For Raytheon, the additional space provides room to scale radar and electronic warfare systems as demand grows. Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.With over a decade-long career in journalism, Neetika Walter has worked with The Economic Times, ANI, and Hindustan Times, covering politics, business, technology, and the clean energy sector. Passionate about contemporary culture, books, poetry, and storytelling, she brings depth and insight to her writing. When she isn’t chasing stories, she’s likely lost in a book or enjoying the company of her dogs.