Inside the Air Force highlights

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

1. Boeing expects the Federal Aviation Administration later this month to approve a key supplemental certification for the new KC-46 tanker fleet later this month -- one of a few remaining hurdles the company must overcome before it delivers the first aircraft this fall.

Full story: Boeing eyes KC-46 FAA supplemental certification to support first delivery

2. The Air Force awarded two sizable contracts this week for hypersonic weapons development and next-generation missile warning satellites using new rapid prototyping authorities granted by Congress.

Full story: Air Force uses rapid prototyping authorities to award two contracts

3. The Air Force will maintain its plan to field new Combat Rescue Helicopters starting in fiscal year 2020 despite looming problems for training reserve squadrons, because changing the schedule would require renegotiating its contract with Sikorsky, according to a new Government Accountability Office report.

Full story: GAO: Combat Rescue Helicopter fielding schedule poses reserve training problems

4. The Pentagon hasn't yet determined the cost to create a new Space Force, but the deputy defense secretary said last week he assumes it will require "billions" of dollars in additional resources.

Full story: Pentagon still working through cost, scope of Space Force