Inside the Air Force highlights

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

1. The Air Force expects to adjust its plans to begin retiring KC-10s in fiscal year 2019 due to forecasted delays in the delivery of the first KC-46 tankers.

Full story: Air Force may shift KC-10 retirement plans due to projected KC-46 delay

2. The general in charge of Air Force Materiel Command told reporters Wednesday the service is working closely with the F-35 joint program office and prime contractor Lockheed Martin to stand up an organic software depot capability as soon as possible, but discussions around intellectual property have delayed that process.

Full story: Pawlikowski: IP issues delaying stand up of organic F-35 software depots

3. The Air Force plans to divest a fourth E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System in fiscal year 2021, and a congressional hearing this week revealed the Advanced Battle Management System concept won't reach full operational capability until 2042 -- nearly two decades after the legacy JSTARS fleet retires.

Full story: USAF to retire fourth JSTARS as lawmakers question plan to defund recap