Inside the Air Force highlights

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

1. HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, MA -- The Air Force and its industry partners are moving forward with efforts to reshape Air Operations Center Weapon System modernization, despite congressional hesitation to fund the new pathfinder and remaining questions about how planning, management and oversight will unfold.

Full story: Air Force begins funding, setting initial priorities for AOC pathfinder

2. Lockheed Martin expects to test its partial prototype of an advanced Electro-Optical Targeting System for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter by the end of this year, but is awaiting more detail from the joint program office on follow-on modernization requirements before determining whether and when a full prototype will fly.

Full story: LM to complete partial F-35 EOTS prototype this year; awaiting JPO requirement

3. The Air Force is on track to launch Aug. 25 its fifth Operationally Responsive Space mission -- a Space-Based Space Surveillance system gapfiller satellite that service officials say will demonstrate a number of technology and rapid acquisition practices that can be incorporated into other space programs.

Full story: ORS-5 mission to demonstrate rapid AQ, supplement SBSS capability

4. Boeing and Northrop Grumman will progress to the technology-maturation and risk-reduction phase of the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent competition under contracts worth more than $300 million apiece, the Defense Department announced this week.

Full story: Boeing, Northrop best Lockheed for GBSD risk-reduction contracts