Inside the Navy highlights

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

1. The Navy will release a draft request for proposals outlining requirements for the future frigate within the next two months, according to the program manager, as the two competing contractors refine their designs of a modified Littoral Combat Ship.

Full story: Navy plans to release draft solicitation for frigate within two months

2. The Navy plans to accept delivery of the next-generation aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) in April, 13 months behind schedule, because of problems related to power distribution, according to the service's acquisition executive.

Full story: Stackley: Navy plans to accept CVN-78 delivery in April

3. The Navy has released a new surface-forces strategy focused on a "return to sea control" through applying the service's nascent "distributed lethality" concept.

Full story: Navy releases new surface-forces strategy focused on 'sea control'

4. Mounting difficulties in developing the Joint Strike Fighter program threaten to delay the start of initial operational testing for the stealthy combat jet well beyond the newly established 2018 target, potentially forcing the Pentagon to wait until early 2020 to commence the all-important evaluation of Lockheed Martin's F-35, according to the U.S. military's top weapons tester.

Full story: DOT&E: F-35 development 'problems' could delay key testing to 2020