United Technologies Nears Deal To Merge Aerospace Unit With Raytheon: Sources

United Technologies Corp., parent company of Cedar Rapids-based Collins Aerospace, is nearing a deal to merge its aerospace business with U.S. defense contractor Raytheon and form a new company worth well over $100 billion, a person familiar with the matter said on Saturday.It was unclear how such a merger would affect Collins Aerospace operations, if at all.If the negotiations between UTC and Raytheon are completed successfully, a deal could be announced as early as Monday, the source said, asking not to be identified because the matter is confidential.A UTC spokeswoman declined to comment when reached by The Gazette Saturday evening.Raytheon did not immediately respond to Reuters to a request for comment.Through the merger, UCT and Raytheon, headquartered in Waltham, Mass., are seeking to pool resources serving the commercial and defense aerospace industries.