Boeing Hires New Lead for Air Force One Project

Program faces cost overruns and years of delays.

Friday, June 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM ET

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President Donald Trump disembarks from Air Force One, a modified Boeing 747-200 referred to by the military as VC-25A [Credit: Shutterstock/Evan El-Amin]

Key Takeaways:

Boeing has appointed Steve Sullivan, a former Northrop Grumman executive, to lead its "troubled" Air Force One program.
Sullivan is noted for his extensive experience in managing complex military aircraft programs, including the B-21 bomber.
The Air Force One conversion project, which involves two 747-8s becoming VC-25s, is facing significant delays, pushing delivery from 2024 to 2027, and potential multi-billion dollar losses for Boeing due to cost overruns.
The delays have caused frustration, leading former President Trump to accept a different 747-8 as a stopgap presidential transport.

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Boeing has hired a former executive at defense contractor Northrop Grumman to take over its troubled Air Force One program, according to a Reuters report.

Steve Sullivan, formerly the general manager of Northrop’s strike division, will replace current Air Force One chief Gregg Coffey, who is moving to another role at Boeing. Reuters cited two unnamed sources briefed on the personnel change. Boeing declined to comment.

Zach Vasile

Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.