NEWS: Blunt Rochester, Cantwell, Cruz, Wicker, Padilla, Budd Introduce Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act

Aging aircraft & technology threaten NOAA's airborne weather reconnaissance mission

Bill would codify NOAA's Hurricane Hunter mission in federal law, authorize $2.5 billion for aircraft acquisition

U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard, Maritime and Fisheries, joined Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) to introduce the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act. The legislation will, for the first time, codify NOAA's Hurricane Hunter mission in federal law and authorize up to nine Hurricane Hunter aircraft. It also includes provisions to better prepare the nation's first line of defense against stronger and more frequent hurricanes, atmospheric rivers and winter storms. The bill was introduced alongside Senators Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Alex Padilla (D-Cal.) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.).

"As extreme weather events increase in frequency, we must ensure we have the resources in place to protect our communities," said Sen. Blunt Rochester. "I'm proud to support the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act, to sustain the mission of NOAA's Hurricane Hunters and ensure they continue to collect the information needed to keep us safe."

"As atmospheric rivers become more frequent and severe across the Pacific Northwest, our communities increasingly depend on accurate forecasts to prepare for flooding and other extreme weather," said Sen. Cantwell. "NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft collect critical data that improves those forecasts, but much of the fleet is more than 50 years old. This bipartisan legislation will modernize and expand the fleet, strengthening NOAA's ability to provide the timely, accurate warnings that help keep families, businesses, and communities safe."

"Hurricane Hunter aircraft are one of NOAA's most important tools for protecting Americans along the coast during hurricane season, particularly in my home state of Texas," said Sen. Cruz. "By flying directly into storms, they collect critical data that produces more accurate forecasts and earlier warnings. These forecasts help save lives, safeguard critical infrastructure, and reduce costly disruptions to ports, commerce, and supply chains. The Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization bill will ensure NOAA has the modern fleet and capabilities needed to continue delivering the reliable, accurate forecasts Americans depend on."

"The NOAA Hurricane Hunters save lives and protect infrastructure along the Gulf Coast," said Sen. Wicker. "They provide the most up-to-date storm tracking information, which is critical for first responders and local officials. The more Hurricane Hunters we have available, the safer our communities are."

"The better our forecasts, the more time families, first responders, and local officials have to prepare and save lives before disaster strikes," said Sen. Padilla. "In California, we've seen how accurate forecasts can make all the difference as communities face dangerous atmospheric rivers, flooding, and landslides. NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft are essential to that effort, but an aging fleet is putting this lifesaving capability at risk. This bipartisan bill makes the investments needed to ensure NOAA can continue delivering the data and warnings that help keep Californians and communities across the country safe."

"NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft play a pivotal role in gathering the data that helps inform our forecasts of potentially dangerous storms," said Sen. Budd. "Continuing to invest in this fleet of aircraft will allow us to have more accurate information that will help federal, state and local leaders make informed decisions to keep our communities safe."

NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft conduct airborne weather reconnaissance missions that are essential to accurate storm track and intensity forecasts, giving coastal communities critical lead time to evacuate and prepare. The aircraft also carry out atmospheric river reconnaissance, providing data that improves forecasting of the extreme precipitation events that drive flooding and landslides across the western United States. The existing fleet is aging, and without investment in replacement aircraft and modernized radar and remote sensing capabilities, the continuity of these life-saving missions is at risk. For example, NOAA's two WP-3D aircraft that fly through hurricanes, Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, will reach the end of their service life in 2030. While two C-130J aircraft are currently being built to replace them, with increasing severe storms and atmospheric rivers, NOAA needs additional aircraft to meet their mission requirements.

The Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act would:

• Authorize $2.5 billion in appropriations to purchase more Hurricane Hunter aircraft and $45 million per year for NOAA aircraft operations and maintenance.
• Codify NOAA's Hurricane Hunter mission in federal law, establishing a permanent statutory foundation for airborne weather reconnaissance and research.
• Increase the authorized number of C-130J aircraft from a maximum of six, to at least six and up to nine, to meet increasing storm demands across the country.
• Direct NOAA to acquire aircraft to meet its airborne weather reconnaissance mission, including atmospheric river reconnaissance that supports flood forecasting in the West and across the country.
• Require NOAA to maintain backup aircraft to ensure continuity of operations if aircraft are grounded due to maintenance or mechanical issues.
• Modernize airborne radar and remote sensing capabilities to ensure Hurricane Hunter aircraft are equipped with the most up to technology available.
• Authorize multi-year contracting authority for future aircraft acquisition and support, enabling more efficient and cost-effective procurement needed to speed up aircraft purchases and save taxpayer dollars.
• Codify the requirement that NOAA maintain a sufficient number of qualified NOAA Corps pilots, preserving the specialized expertise these Hurricane Hunter flights demand.

The text of the bill is HERE.