Inside the Navy highlights

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

1. A new Pentagon study recommends a notional implementation plan to transition the F-35 program from its current joint program office management structure to one with two program management offices that report to separate service acquisition executives by 2035 -- an attempt to improve the program's performance and efficiency as it moves to the post-development phase.

Full story: F-35 study says Pentagon could eliminate JPO by 2035

2. Newport News Shipbuilding estimates a two-ship carrier buy would save the Navy roughly $1.6 billion, according to the company's president.

Full story: NNS estimates two-ship carrier buy will save the Navy $1.6 billion

3. The Navy has placed a $1.2 billion cost estimate for the guided-missile frigate replacement lead ship with expectations the figure will drop with follow-on vessels, according to the service's acquisition executive.

Full story: Geurts: Guided-missile frigate lead ship pegged at $1.2 billion

4. The Marine Corps and Sikorsky are confident they can meet the 2019 initial operational capability goal for the CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter program, and estimate that 50 percent or more of previously reported issues have been fixed and retested, according to the program manager.

Full story: Marine Corps: Most issues from Pentagon reports on CH-53K fixed