Sponsors (6)
The bill improves and preserves near-term hurricane and oceanographic reconnaissance and forecasting capacity through a funded, manned aircraft fleet, but does so at meaningful taxpayer cost and with risks to future technological flexibility and certain contracting and personnel liabilities.
State and local governments, emergency managers, coastal communities, and researchers will receive reliable, near-real-time meteorological, oceanographic, and atmospheric data because NOAA will operate a mandated fleet (at least 6, up to 9) of manned reconnaissance aircraft to collect and share that data for forecasting and warnings.
Local governments and rural and coastal communities will face lower risk of warning/data gaps during aircraft recapitalization because the bill preserves hurricane-penetration capability and continuity/backups for reconnaissance operations.
Taxpayers and the research/forecasting community will benefit from modernization of aircraft and sensors because the bill authorizes $1.5 billion (FY2027–2031) plus $45 million/year for operations to recapitalize and upgrade capabilities.
Taxpayers will face increased federal spending commitments because the bill authorizes $1.5 billion plus approximately $225 million in operations funding over five years.
Scientists, researchers, and taxpayers risk reduced long-term flexibility because mandating a specific fleet size and mission capabilities could limit NOAA’s ability to pivot to future technologies (e.g., unmanned systems) or different mission architectures.
Taxpayers may incur contingent cancellation liabilities and other fiscal risks because long multiyear contracts with exemptions to duration limits can create obligations if program requirements change.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Transfers and strengthens NOAA authority to acquire and maintain 6–9 hurricane reconnaissance aircraft, authorizes $1.5B for acquisition and $45M/year for operations (FY2027–2031).
Directs NOAA to acquire and maintain a fleet of 6–9 manned airborne reconnaissance aircraft designed to penetrate hurricanes, require near-real-time data dissemination, and preserve continuity and backup capability for hurricane reconnaissance. It increases and clarifies acquisition and operations funding for NOAA aviation through new authorizations for FY2027–2031 and updates related statutory authorities and transfers within existing weather law. Sets procurement rules including multiyear contracting authority with special exceptions for aircraft purchases, requires maintenance of NOAA Corps aviators, and mandates continued airborne radar/remote sensing capability (such as Tail Doppler Radar or successors).
Official title: 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.
Introduced June 17, 2026 by Maria E. Cantwell · Last progress June 17, 2026