Legis Daily

Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act

USA119th CongressS-4802| Senate 
| Updated: 7/22/2026
Maria Cantwell

Maria Cantwell

Democratic Senator

Washington

Cosponsors (5)
Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Ted Cruz (Republican)Ted Budd (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
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.
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Timeline
Jun 17, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jun 17, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jul 22, 2026
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  • June 17, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 17, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • July 22, 2026
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.

Public Lands and Natural Resources

Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act

USA119th CongressS-4802| Senate 
| Updated: 7/22/2026
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.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Jun 17, 2026
Introduced in Senate
Jun 17, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Jul 22, 2026
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
  • June 17, 2026
    Introduced in Senate


  • June 17, 2026
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.


  • July 22, 2026
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Maria Cantwell

Maria Cantwell

Democratic Senator

Washington

Cosponsors (5)
Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Ted Cruz (Republican)Ted Budd (Republican)

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

Public Lands and Natural Resources

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted