Rolls-Royce pulls out of engine deal with Boom Supersonic

FILE - In this May 2, 2011, file photo, a Rolls-Royce logo is displayed at the Rolls-Royce Crosspointe manufacturing and research facility in Prince George, Va. The Rolls Royce plant in Virginia that builds turbine blades for jet engines laid off more than 100 workers earlier this year and plans to close the plant in June. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

GREENSBORO — British engine maker Rolls-Royce has pulled out of an agreement to work with Boom Supersonic to build the company’s engines for its commercial aircraft that is expected to be built in Greensboro. 

In a statement, the company said, “We’ve completed our contract with Boom and delivered various engineering studies for their Overture supersonic program. After careful consideration, Rolls-Royce has determined that the commercial aviation supersonic market is not currently a priority for us.” 

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Flying magazine reported that with Rolls-Royce walking away from the partnership, Boom’s original timeline for making commercial supersonic travel a reality before the end of the decade could now be in flux.