WASHINGTON, May 7 (Reuters) - Boeing ( BA ) has proposed

delivering its delayed new version of Air Force One in 2027, a

U.S. Air Force official said on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump negotiated with Boeing ( BA ) for a pair of

new 747-8 aircraft during his 2017-2021 first administration.

They were initially expected to be delivered in 2024.

"We are looking at the requirements that are being

potentially traded off to get to that date, and so I would not

necessarily guarantee that date, but they're proposing to bring

it into '27," Darlene Costello, acting assistant secretary of

the Air Force, told the House Armed Services Committee.

Costello said the Air Force is working with the White House

on "what's acceptable" from a capability standpoint for Air

Force One.

The government has temporarily lifted some security

requirements for the production facility, Costello said. This,

she said, has allowed Boeing ( BA ) to be more "efficient and

productive" in assembling the aircraft.

She said there are a few remaining issues that need to be

resolved but once they are, it will give a better estimate on

the schedule of delivery.

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

In mid-February, Trump expressed his displeasure with Boeing ( BA )

but ruled out European rival Airbus as an alternative.

Around the same time, Boeing ( BA ) CEO Kelly Ortberg said Elon Musk,

who serves as an adviser to Trump, was "helping us a lot" in

navigating delivery of the presidential jet.

The government recently tapped defense contractor L3Harris

Technologies ( LHX ) to overhaul a Boeing 747 formerly used by

the Qatari government for use as an interim Air Force One amid

Boeing's ( BA ) delays.

That aircraft is expected to be available for use as early

as fall, according to The Wall Street Journal.

(Reporting by Jasper Ward; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)