Inside the Navy highlights

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

1. Senate appropriators seek to increase modernization spending on the Navy's major accounts -- aircraft procurement and shipbuilding -- at higher levels than their House counterparts, while recommending similar spending levels for ammunition, weapons and "other" portfolios.

Full Story: Senate appropriators boost Navy modernization spending

2. Concerned that the Navy and Air Force are deferring F-35 ramp-up plans to future years due to budget constraints, Senate appropriators are recommending boosts to the services' Joint Strike Fighter procurement accounts and are encouraging the two services to procure the jets at higher rates.

Full Story: Senate appropriators direct Navy, Air Force to stick with F-35 plans

3. The Navy is challenging industry to develop an unmanned surface vehicle in 12 months that can move at 19 knots, be capable of surviving moderate seas and operate continuously for 90 days without a crew or manned maintenance.

Full Story: Overlord USV must operate for 90 days at sea without maintenance