Inside the Navy highlights

A few must-reads from this week's Inside the Navy:

1. Pentagon acquisition chief Frank Kendall has approved Navy plans to release a request for proposals for the next phase of the Joint Precision Approach and Landing System Increment 1A program, clearing the way for the service to award the contract to system developer Raytheon next year.

Full story: Pentagon approves Navy plans to release JPALS solicitation

2. The Marine Corps is on track to declare the RQ-21A Blackjack operational in either December or January.

Full story: Marines on track to declare Blackjack operational as early as December

3. The Navy has directed Lockheed Martin to examine up-armoring its version of the Littoral Combat Ship, according to a company executive, as the service mulls which of the future frigate's capabilities will be added onto yet-to-be constructed LCS platforms.

Full story: Lockheed looking at additional armor for future Littoral Combat Ships