Inside the Air Force Highlights

Highlights from this week's Inside the Air Force:

1. DARPA is set to make an official decision about whether to move ahead with the XS-1 spaceplane experiment next spring, after evaluating the program's progress this fall and winter.

Full story: DARPA Officials Considering Fate of Experimental Spaceplane Program

2. The Air Force is justifying its decision to award Boeing a sole-source contract to upgrade the bunker-busting Massive Ordnance Penetrator by emphasizing the urgent operational need for the capability enhancements.

Full story: Urgent Need Spurs $38M Air Force MOP Contract To Boeing

3. An Air Force Scientific Advisory Board study will consider the feasibility of a laser-equipped AC-130J gunship, and is one of four studies the board will take on in fiscal year 2016.

Full story: Air Force Scientific Advisory Board Takes Fast Track on Laser Study

Follow ITAF on Twitter -- @InsidetheAF -- for more highlights throughout the week.