Inside the Navy highlights

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

1. A potential $33 billion cut to the Defense Department's topline budget in fiscal year 2020 would have "a profound impact" on the size of the Navy's fleet, said the service's second most senior civilian, who also raised questions about the Navy's latest aircraft carrier program.

Full story: Modly: 'Profound impact' on fleet if DOD topline is cut from $733B to $700B

2. The Navy should conduct Freedom of Navigation operations in the Arctic as it works toward an increased presence in the region, according to Navy Secretary Richard Spencer.

Full story: Spencer: Navy should conduct freedom of navigation ops in the Arctic

3. The Navy last week plunked down an additional $28.5 million to expand development of a new hypersonic booster for a submarine-launched, Intermediate-Range Conventional Prompt Strike prototype weapon -- exercising an option with prime contractor Lockheed Martin that allocates the largest portion of spending to date to a subcontractor.

Full story: Navy advances work on potential sub-launched hypersonic weapon booster

4. The F-35 joint program office announced this week the program has officially entered the initial operational test and evaluation phase.

Full story: F-35 formally enters initial operational test and evaluation