June 17, 2026
Ms. Cantwell (for herself, Mr. Cruz, Ms. Blunt Rochester, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Padilla, and Mr. Budd) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
To provide for the acquisition by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of aircraft for air, atmosphere, and weather reconnaissance and research missions, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act
.
Sec. 2. Acquisition of aircraft for air, atmosphere, and weather reconnaissance and research missions
(a) In general
Section 11708 of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (division K of Public Law 117–263; 136 Stat. 4158; 33 U.S.C. note prec. 851) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (a)—
(A)
by striking Increased
and all that follows through The Under
and inserting Hurricane hunter mission.—The Under
;
(B)
by striking shall acquire
and inserting the following:
shall—
(1)
acquire and maintain;
(C)
by striking requirements
and all that follows through air reconnaissance and
and inserting requirements to meet the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration air reconnaissance and
; and
(D)
by striking (B) to ensure
and all that follows through or nongovernmental entities.
in paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
(2)
carry out airborne reconnaissance and research missions using such aircraft platforms under paragraph (1).;
(2)
by redesignating subsections (b), (c), and (d) as subsections (d), (e), and (h), respectively;
(3)
by inserting after subsection (a) the following:
(b) Mission requirements
In carrying out subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall—
(1)
collect real-time meteorological, oceanographic, and atmospheric observations and ensure such data is made available in near real-time for research and operational purposes, including forecasting, warning, and reconnaissance missions;
(2)
maintain the capability to safely conduct direct airborne penetration of hurricanes and tropical cyclones; and
(3)
ensure continuity of airborne hurricane reconnaissance capability during any aircraft recapitalization or transition period, including through the acquisition and maintenance of backup capabilities sufficient to prevent a single point of failure.
(c) Airborne observing technologies
In carrying out subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall maintain and replace airborne radar and remote sensing capabilities, including Tail Doppler Radar capabilities or successor technologies, necessary to support operational hurricane reconnaissance and forecasting missions.;
(4)
in subsection (d) (as so redesignated)—
(A)
in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking up to 6
and inserting not fewer than 6, but not more than 9, manned
; and
(B)
in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (A)
and inserting paragraph (1)
;
(5)
in subsection (e) (as so redesignated), by striking agency air reconnaissance and research mission requirements
and inserting the mission requirements described in subsection (b)
;
(6)
by inserting after subsection (e), as so redesignated, the following:
(f) Multiyear contracts
(1) In general
The Under Secretary may enter into multiyear contracts in accordance with section 3903 of title 41, United States Code, for purposes of carrying out this section and shall ensure compliance with all contract clauses provided in such section of title 41, United States Code.
(2) Exception for contract duration limitation
The limitation on the duration of such contracts provided under subsection (a) of such section of title 41, United States Code, shall not apply to contracts for the acquisition of aircraft in accordance with this section or the maintenance of such aircraft, including any associated services or support, provided that such contracts comply with applicable law and include appropriate safeguards for any unfunded contingent liability in the event of cancellation.
(g) NOAA Corps Aviation Capability
The Under Secretary shall maintain qualified National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps aviators to conduct the airborne reconnaissance and research missions authorized under subsection (a)(2).; and
(7)
in subsection (h), as so redesignated—
(A)
by striking For
and inserting the following:
(1) Acquisition of aircraft
For;
(B)
by striking year 2023
and inserting years 2027 through 2031
;
(C)
by striking $800,000,000
and inserting $2,500,000,000
; and
(D)
by adding at the end the following:
(2) OMAO aviation operations and aircraft services
For each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary $45,000,000 for aviation operations and aircraft services by the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.
(b) Transfer
(1) Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017
The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended by repealing section 413 (15 U.S.C. 8549).
(2) Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022
The Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 is further amended by transferring section 11708 of such Act, as amended by subsection (a), to the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.) to appear as section 413 of such Act and redesignating such section, as so transferred, as section 413.
(c) Clerical amendments
The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended by striking the item related to section 413 and inserting the following: