Inside the Air Force highlights

Some must-reads from this week's issue of Inside the Air Force:

1. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program expects to meet with Pentagon leadership in early December for approval of a new plan that will allow it to continuously develop software capabilities following completion of the post-system development and demonstration phase.

Full story: Defense Acquisition Board to consider new F-35 Block 4 plan next month

2. The program executive officer for the Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization program, confirmed to Inside the Air Force this week his team is identifying ways to cut down on the fleet's certification process and is considering other options for saving time and money.

Full story: PAR program assessing options as Congress sets new guidelines

3. The Air Force will hold an industry day next month to discuss its acquisition strategy to replace the B-52's TF33 engine with a commercial variant -- appearing to rule out the option of an engine upgrade.

Full story: Air Force to hold B-52 engine industry day, appears to favor replacement

4. The reconciled version of the fiscal year 2018 defense policy bill directs the Air Force to report its analysis of why the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System recapitalization program should be changed or canceled and its impact on the military, if the service plots a new direction for that effort in the FY-19 budget request.

Full story: Defense policy bill notes concern about JSTARS review, recommends full funding