The Forest site now spans 445,000 square feet, cementing its status as one of Mississippi's largest defense manufacturing plants. This latest project serves as a dedicated hub for the integration and testing of Next Generation Jammer Mid-Band pods, which are slated for use by the U.S. Navy and the Australian government. The expansion follows a decade of sustained growth at the location, during which Raytheon has poured $280 million into three separate facility upgrades.

Barbara Borgonovi, president of Naval Power at Raytheon, noted that the site remains vital to the company’s long-term strategy for meeting national defense requirements. Local and federal officials, including Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves and U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, highlighted the dual impact of the project: modernizing the American arsenal and providing stable, high-tech employment for the regional workforce. Having operated in Forest for four decades, Raytheon continues to integrate its manufacturing footprint with local educational and support networks.