Inside the Navy highlights

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

1. The Pentagon last week awarded an $805 million contract to Boeing for the production of four MQ-25 Stingray engineering and manufacturing development models, according to Navy officials.

Full story: Boeing wins $805 million Pentagon contract for MQ-25 Stingray

2. ABOARD THE USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) -- The Navy is conducting the first operational tests at sea of the F-35C Joint Strike Fighter aboard the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln.

Full story: First F-35C operational tests at sea underway on CVN-72

3. A pilot program the Navy is using to improve aircraft depot maintenance -- which it has been testing on F/A-18s and MV-22s -- may be pushed out to the rest of the fleet, according to the Navy secretary.

Full story: Navy weighs expanding pilot program for aviation maintenance

4. As the Navy gears up to dismantle the service's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, it may look to use a future disposal agreement for a Surface Ship Support Barge (SSSB) as a blueprint for the larger vessel.

Full story: Barge disposal could act as blueprint for dismantling first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier