June 25 (Reuters) - Boeing ( BA ) has hired a former

Northrop Grumman executive, Steve Sullivan, to lead its

Air Force One program, according to two people briefed on the

matter.

Sullivan, who previously worked on key Northrop programs

including the B-21 bomber, replaces Gregg Coffey, who is moving

to another role at the U.S. planemaker.

Boeing ( BA ) did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for

a comment.

The Air Force One program, which involves converting two

747-8 aircraft into VC-25B jets equipped with advanced

communications and defense systems to serve as the next

generation of U.S. presidential air transport, has faced chronic

delays over the last decade.

Delivery of the two new 747-8s is three years behind

schedule and now expected in 2027.

The news of the appointment comes after the U.S. military in

May accepted a 747 jetliner as a gift from Qatar. The Air Force

was tasked with evaluating options to quickly upgrade it for

presidential use.

(Reporting by Nathan Gomes and Mike Stone; Editing by Shinjini

Ganguli)