Inside the Navy highlights

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

1. As new aircraft come online like the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, CH-53K King Stallion and a slew of unmanned aerial systems, the Marine Corps is revising its maintenance qualification standards to make the transition easier for mechanics and other personnel.

Full story: Marines revise standards for maintenance as new aircraft come online

2. The Navy has disestablished the office of the deputy assistant secretary for unmanned systems and the service will transfer the portfolio to the "appropriate" deputy assistant secretary offices, Inside the Navy has learned.

Full story: Navy dissolves unmanned systems office after completing roadmap

3. The Navy has reviewed synthetic aperture sonar technologies at the request of Congress, including products that are in use with allied navies but none provide "adequate performance," according to the service's acquisition executive.

Full story: Navy reviews synthetic aperture sonar technologies for LCS

4. A war-funding account that has been derided by critics for years as a "slush fund" may have finally reached a political inflection point in Congress, but statutory budget caps set to return next year could derail ongoing efforts to increase fiscal transparency at the Pentagon.

Full story: Pentagon's controversial war account could be poised for political reckoning