Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act

This bill, titled the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act, significantly amends existing law to enhance the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) capabilities for air, atmosphere, and weather reconnaissance and research missions. It directs NOAA to acquire and maintain aircraft specifically for these purposes, emphasizing the need for robust airborne reconnaissance. The legislation outlines critical mission requirements , including the collection of real-time meteorological data for forecasting and the ability to safely conduct direct airborne penetration of hurricanes and tropical cyclones. Furthermore, the bill mandates the maintenance and replacement of advanced airborne observing technologies, such as Tail Doppler Radar , to support operational hurricane reconnaissance. It increases the authorized number of manned aircraft to "not fewer than 6, but not more than 9," and significantly boosts the authorized appropriations for aircraft acquisition to $2,500,000,000 for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. The legislation also allows for multiyear contracts for aircraft acquisition and maintenance, ensures continuity of capabilities during recapitalization, and requires the maintenance of qualified NOAA Corps aviators for these missions.