Inside the Navy highlights

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

1. The Navy's Littoral Combat Ship program executive officer is working with Navy budget officials to identify additional modernization items that could be included in the service's fiscal year 2019 budget request.

Full Story: Littoral Combat Ship mod items will be reflected in FY-19 budget

2. The Navy and Coast Guard are readying a once-in-a-generation modernization project to build a new fleet of heavy polar icebreaker cutters, issuing a draft solicitation for a potential three-ship acquisition effort beginning in fiscal year 2019, a project that could -- according to one authoritative estimate -- cost at least $2.5 billion and comes after lawmakers voiced support for a six-ship fleet.

Full Story: Navy, Coast Guard seek final tweaks for potential $2.5B icebreaker program

3. The Navy plans to release a request for proposals for guided-missile frigate replacement design development next month.

Full Story: Navy to issue guided-missile frigate replacement solicitation next month