This work led the U.S. Army Air Corps to select GE to develop the nation's first jet engine during the war.[25] This experience, in turn, made GE a natural selection to develop the Whittle W.1 jet engine that was demonstrated in the United States in 1941.[26] GE was ranked ninth among United States corporations in the value of wartime production contracts.[27] Although, their early work with Whittle's designs was later handed to Allison Engine Company. GE Aviation then emerged as one of the world's largest engine manufacturers, bypassing the British company, Rolls-Royce plc.