Inside the Air Force highlights

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

1. The head of a key remotely piloted aircraft wing believes the MQ-9 Reaper will shift toward strike coordination and reconnaissance and combat survival and recovery missions as a way to support other aircraft as the battlefield changes.

Full story: As contested battlespace grows, MQ-9 explores new roles

2. General Atomics' Block 5 MQ-9 Reaper made its combat debut last week, the beginning of the real-world test of how the new remotely piloted aircraft stacks up against others in its family.

Full story: Concerns about MQ-9 performance linger though Block 5 deemed safe to fly

3. The Senate Armed Services Committee's mark of fiscal year 2018 defense policy legislation seeks to address the Defense Department's space organizational problems by elevating the authorities of the chief information officer to provide oversight of all space and cyber programs.

Full story: Senate panel's mark would elevate CIO, give new oversight of space and cyber programs