Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act
Sponsored By: Senator Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
In Committee
Summary
Recapitalizing NOAA's manned hurricane reconnaissance fleet to preserve continuous airborne data for forecasting, warnings, and research. The bill would set mission requirements, fund new aircraft and operations, and require backup capabilities and trained NOAA aviators.
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- Communities and emergency planners: Requires near real‑time meteorological, oceanographic, and atmospheric data for research, forecasting, and warnings, and demands continuity of airborne reconnaissance during transitions to avoid a single point of failure.
- NOAA pilots and operations: Mandates maintenance of qualified NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps aviators and raises the fleet size floor to 6 and ceiling to 9 manned aircraft while requiring upkeep of radar and remote sensing systems like Tail Doppler Radar or successors.
- Procurement and funding: Authorizes multiyear aircraft contracts with duration waivers and safeguards for contingent liabilities, increases acquisition authority and creates an operations funding stream to support recapitalization and ongoing missions.
*Would authorize about $2.5 billion for aircraft acquisition and $45 million per year for FY2027–2031, increasing federal spending to recapitalize and sustain NOAA's hurricane aircraft program.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Stronger NOAA hurricane aircraft program
This bill would let NOAA buy and maintain a dedicated fleet of manned hurricane reconnaissance and research aircraft. It would authorize up to $2.5 billion for aircraft acquisition from fiscal years 2027 through 2031, and $45 million each year for aviation operations in 2027–2031. It would require a manned fleet of 6 to 9 aircraft, real-time data sharing, Tail Doppler Radar or successor sensors, and qualified NOAA aviators able to fly into storms. It would also allow multiyear contracts for buying and maintaining aircraft and require safeguards for any unfunded costs if a contract is canceled.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
WA • D
Cosponsors
Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
TX • R
Sponsored 6/17/2026
Sen. Blunt Rochester, Lisa [D-DE]
DE • D
Sponsored 6/17/2026
Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
MS • R
Sponsored 6/17/2026
Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
CA • D
Sponsored 6/17/2026
Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 6/17/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov