AEROSPACE

Raytheon Contract Gets Backing: The firm’s estimated $7-billion Pentagon contract to build a new plane for training pilots has been endorsed by the General Accounting Office. Textron Inc.’s Cessna Aircraft division asked the congressional investigative agency to recommend that Raytheon Co.’s contract be annulled and put out for new bids. The GAO issued a statement saying Cessna’s request is denied. “We disagree with the GAO’s decision. We’re carefully considering our options, but we have no further comment at this time,” Cessna said in a statement. Cessna could sue in federal court to block the Pentagon from proceeding with the contract. Raytheon had no immediate comment. It beat out Textron, Lockheed Martin Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp., and Rockwell International Corp. for the contract.