Raytheon to Build Air Force Jet Facility in Mississippi

If the U.S. Air Force approves Raytheon Company’s proposal to manufacture the service’s T-100 Integrated Air Training System jets, the defense contractor announced Monday that it will construct a final assembly and check out facility for production in Meridian, MS.

“Our process determined that the best location for building the T-100 is in Meridian, MS,” said Rick Yuse, president of Raytheon Space and Aerospace Systems, in a company statement. “It provides the right blend of infrastructure, proximity to customers, government support, and a talent base that’s ready for the high-tech jobs critical to our success.”

Based on an Italian military trainer jet, the Aermacchi M-346, the T-100 aircraft is designed to “meet and exceed” the Air Force’s requirements and be a “next-generation” educational tool. The aircraft is part of a digital and real-world flight training system, which Raytheon describes as a “fully integrated flying and ground based training system that leverages downloading training missions from frontline fighters, embedded training, and the economies of scale to deliver a low-cost, low-risk training.”

The Waltham, MA-based company has made products in the state for three decades, the statement said, including its Active Electronically Scanned Array radars in Forest, MS.

“Mississippi’s existing partnership with Raytheon is one reason we are a global leader in advanced manufacturing for the defense industry,” said Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant in Raytheon’s press release. “With a firm understanding of the significance of the advanced pilot training mission, we are excited about the possibility of expanding that partnership and creating hundreds of new, high-paying jobs supporting our brave men and women who serve this country.”

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