Boeing is said to hire former Northrop exec to run Air Force One program

Boeing (NYSE:BA) has appointed Steve Sullivan, a former executive at Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), to oversee its Air Force One program, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing two sources familiar with the decision.

Sullivan, who was involved with several major Northrop (NYSE:NOC) projects, including the B-21 stealth bomber, will take over leadership of the high-profile presidential aircraft program. He succeeds Gregg Coffey, who is transitioning to a different role within Boeing (NYSE:BA).

The company declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

The Air Force One project entails modifying two Boeing 747-8 aircraft into VC-25B models outfitted with state-of-the-art defense capabilities and secure communications systems to serve as the next generation of presidential planes. The program has struggled with persistent delays over the past decade.

Delivery of the new aircraft is currently running three years behind schedule, with completion now expected in 2027.

Sullivan’s appointment follows news from May that the U.S. military accepted a Boeing (BA) 747 donated by Qatar, which the Air Force is evaluating for possible conversion into a backup aircraft for presidential transport.