Inside the Navy highlights

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

1. The Navy can grow the fleet faster than many in Washington predict by taking advantage of hot production lines, pursuing new technologies and extending the lives of older ships, according to a white paper published by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson.

Full Story: Chief of naval operations calls for faster fleet build-up

2. The Pentagon plans to purchase another F-35B ground article for durability testing because the current equipment is no longer considered production representative.

Full Story: Pentagon will purchase another F-35B ground article for durability testing

3. The Navy has been underestimating the number of sailors it takes to properly man and maintain a ship, the Government Accountability Office has found, calling into question the service's strategy to expand its fleet to 355 ships and whatever cost projections might flow from it.

Full Story: New report finds Navy low-balls number of sailors needed to man ships