Inside the Army highlights

Some must-reads from this week's edition of Inside the Army:

1. The Army is advancing its science and technology work on high-energy lasers as "complementary" to traditional kinetic weapons, including a potential maneuver short-range air defense solution, according to a service scientist.

Full story: High-energy lasers eyed to close capability gaps, reduce costs

2. The Army is scheduled to hold a live demonstration of Squad Multipurpose Equipment Transport offerings in September, according to a service official.

Full story: Army to hold demonstration for SMET options next month

3. The Army's Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center plans to demonstrate a hard-kill modular active protection system in fiscal year 2018, according to a spokesman.

Full story: Army plans MAPS hard-kill system test for next fiscal year

4. The Army's transition to a new readiness model is progressing, but challenges remain, according to the director of operations, readiness and mobilization in the office of the service's deputy chief of staff (G-3/5/7).

Full story: Sims highlights demands, challenges of new readiness measures