Inside the Air Force highlights

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

1. An amended $167 million request for Next-Generation Air Dominance in President Trump's fiscal year 2017 supplemental defense budget suggests a new penetrating counter-air capability could be in the works.

Full story: Air Force seeks immediate, sharp FY-17 funding increase for sixth-gen fighter

2. Few details from the Trump administration on how it views Air Force modernization is causing analysts to wonder where the fiscal year 2018 budget will lead the service.

Full story: Trump's push to grow Navy, Army raises questions about Air Force budget

3. Cost was the deciding factor in the Air Force's decision to award SpaceX its second national security space launch services mission, while United Launch Alliance argues the process did not account enough for experience and mission success.

Full story: Air Force: SpaceX launch award was ultimately decided by cost