Some must-reads from this week's issue of Inside the Air Force:
1. The F-35 program executive officer said Sept. 7 he expects to award a multibillion-dollar payment to Lockheed Martin in the next few weeks to cover some of the jet manufacturer's costs for low-rate initial production Lot 10, which has been caught up in a drawn-out negotiations process.
Full story: F-35 PEO: DOD hopes to award multibillion-dollar Lot 10 UCA this month
2. The head of the F-35 program told a panel of industry and government officials this week that the Joint Strike Fighter is "a classic example" of how inadequate initial planning around intellectual property and data rights can hinder a program as it looks to pursue new sustainment or modernization options.
Full story: F-35 program struggling with IP, data rights not defined in early days
3. The director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said this week he would like to expand a pilot program aimed at allowing NATO member countries and organizations to purchase defense capabilities essentially as a consortium through foreign military sales.
Full story: DSCA director envisions future expansion of NATO FMS pooling initiative
4. The Air Force has indicated it plans to solicit bidders this year for a key capability to fly on its Weather System Follow-on constellation.
Full story: Air Force to award contract for key weather sat system this year