Inside the Air Force highlights

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

1. L3 Technologies and BAE Systems have stopped work on the Air Force's EC-130H Compass Call "cross-deck" program until the service can again obligate funds in two weeks, an Air Force spokeswoman confirmed May 31.

Full story: Compass Call recap pause causes delay, but work can resume in June

2. The Air Force is delaying its contract award for the UH-1N Huey replacement program until the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018, after previously planning to select a new helicopter by early summer.

Full story: Air Force delays Huey replacement contract award until end of FY-18

3. The Air Force wants to make headway on developing an autonomous fighter jet in an 18-month program spearheaded by a new rapid development team, Inside Defense has learned.

Full story: Air Force development team sets 18-month plan for autonomous fighter jet

4. The Pentagon's independent cost estimate office projects the Air Force's Combat Rescue Helicopter will cost up to $9.2 billion, 3 percent more than the service's cost position of $8.9 billion, according to a recent Defense Department report on the military's 30-year aviation outlook.

Full story: CAPE projects CRH will cost 3 percent more than USAF estimate