Radar Next Program Act of 2026

This bill would create the Radar Next Program, run by the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) working with the National Weather Service. The program would set performance and coverage requirements for the nation's weather radar network, including in U.S. territories, and develop a plan to replace the current NEXRAD weather radar system. The plan would include testing phased array radar, setting up a testbed to evaluate commercial and small gap-filling radars, and choosing locations for new radars, including sites more than 75 miles from existing stations. The plan would have to be fully carried out by September 30, 2040. The bill would also allow NOAA to contract with outside entities to fill gaps in radar coverage and would require periodic updates to Congress.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Maria Cantwell Democrat sponsor
• 1 cosponsors