Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act

This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to acquire and maintain aircraft for hurricane and weather reconnaissance and research, and to fly missions with them. NOAA would have to collect weather and ocean data in near real time, keep the ability to fly directly into hurricanes, and keep backup capability so hurricane flights continue while aircraft are being replaced. The bill sets the number of manned aircraft at between 6 and 9, allows multiyear contracts beyond the usual length limit, and requires NOAA to keep qualified NOAA Corps pilots. It authorizes $2.5 billion for aircraft for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and $45 million per year for aviation operations, and moves the law into the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Maria Cantwell Democrat sponsor
• 5 cosponsors