Below is a press release from the Mississippi Development Authority:
Raytheon, an RTX business, broke ground recently on a 17,000-square-foot expansion of its Consolidated Manufacturing Center in Forest. The project is a $50 million corporate investment and will create 100 high-skill jobs over the next five years.
Raytheon will construct a new building on its Forest campus to serve as a hub for the production, test and integration of Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band pods for the U.S. Navy and Australian government, as well as airborne radar programs. This investment marks Raytheon’s third expansion in Forest since 2013.
“As a long-time partner, we see the value of continued investment in Mississippi and its workforce. Our Forest facility supports 20 major programs and runs three shifts per day to deliver the advanced technology our customers need. This latest expansion will help us ramp-up production for a critical airborne electronic attack system to address advanced and emerging threats while protecting U.S. and coalition forces.” – Kim Ernzen, President of Naval Power at Raytheon, an RTX business
The Mississippi Development Authority and Scott County partnered with Raytheon to support building improvements and facility expansion needs for the project.
“Raytheon’s significant investment and creation of so many new jobs in Scott County will certainly have a positive, lasting impact on the local economy and central Mississippi as a whole. Each one of these new jobs will generate an increased demand for goods and services locally and throughout the region; therefore, many individuals and businesses will benefit indirectly because of Raytheon’s decision to grow once again in Forest. MDA is proud to support Raytheon with this important project, and we thank the Raytheon team for their continued partnership with the state of Mississippi.” – MDA Deputy Executive Director Laura Hipp
NGJ-MB is an advanced electronic attack system that denies, disrupts and degrades enemy technology, including communication tools and air defense systems. Raytheon began Low-Rate Initial Production in Forest in 2021 and was awarded a third LRIP contract in 2023, enabling the team to begin delivering this critical capability for the U.S. Navy fleet and beyond.
“Our state is proud to help bolster our nation’s security and to be on the cutting edge of innovation in the aerospace and defense realms. This $50 million investment and the 100 high-quality new jobs that it will create further solidifies that role and is tremendous news for Scott County and all of Mississippi. I want to thank Raytheon for their continued commitment to our state and for once again investing here. I look forward to seeing their continued success.” – Gov. Tate Reeves
For 40 years, Raytheon has been part of the Forest community. RTX employs more than 1,000 people and spends over $253 million annually with Mississippi suppliers. Construction of the new facility will begin in October 2023 with completion expected by December 2026.
