Raytheon plans to build the U.S. Air Force's T-100 Integrated Air Training System in Meridian, Miss., pending service approval, the company said Tuesday.

A final assembly and check-out facility in the Mississippi town would add to Raytheon's history of manufacturing in the state for more than 30 years, the company said in a statement.

Meridian would provide a mix of infrastructure, customer proximity, government support and a high-tech job talent pool, the company said.

The T-100 trainer is a next-generation system based on the Aermacchi M-346 aircraft and combines ground-based simulators with computerized classroom instruction.

Raytheon has partnered with Leonardo-Finmeccanica, CAE USA and Honeywell Aerospace on the program.

Boeing installs P-8A Poseidon training center
Seattle (UPI) Oct 25, 2016 - A Boeing training center for P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft has been installed at the U.S. Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.

The Navy installation is scheduled to begin receiving the aircraft beginning next year.

"About 70 percent of the training we do for our P-8 crews happens in this building," said U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad. "That is going to make that wonderful aircraft last longer and longer. As much as 45 years."

The center will use a training system that uses simulators and classroom-based materials to train pilots and mission crews to operate the aircraft, its sensors, communications and weapons systems.

"Integrated, ground-based training is critical to U.S. Navy operations," said Tom Shadrach, Boeing P-8 program manager, Training Systems and Government Services. "This new facility will help to effectively and efficiently train aircrews before they ever leave the ground."

Boeing currently provides P-8A aircrew training devices, electronic classrooms and courseware at its Integrated Training Center at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.