Inside the Air Force highlights

Highlights from this week's Inside the Air Force:

1. Lockheed Martin's Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent program chief is anticipating a technology-maturation and risk-reduction contract announcement in August to meet the Air Force's September deadline, and says companies are prepared to handle any changes directed by the upcoming Nuclear Posture Review.

Full story: Lockheed GBSD chief expects August award, awaits nuclear review results

2. General Atomics and Dynetics officials outlined their approaches going into phase two of the Gremlins program -- including adding small UAS technology to the MQ-9 and flying on C-130 pylons -- following the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's March 15 announcement that the two teams would advance.

Full story: General Atomics, Dynetics outline Gremlins approaches as phase two begins

3. The Air Force's current operations director told House Armed Services Committee members this week choosing to retire Boeing's F-15C/D in the late 2020s and recapitalize Lockheed Martin's F-16 with improved radar to serve in the Eagle's role is "predecisional."

Full story: F-15C/D retirement is predecisional, Air Force operations director says