Senate introduces bipartisan bill to expand NOAA's Hurricane Hunter aircraft fleet

On Wednesday, members of the U.S. Senate introduced a bill that would increase the size of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Hurricane Hunters aircraft fleet, according to a new release from the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation.Introduced by Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), Alex Padilla (D-Cal.) and Ted Budd (R-N.C.), the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act would codify NOAA's Hurricane Hunter mission into federal law and authorize up to nine Hurricane Hunter aircraft.Currently, NOAA's Hurricane Hunter fleet consists of three aircraft: Two Lockheed WP-3D Orion aircraft, named "Kermit" and "Miss Piggy," and one Gulfstream IV-SP jet."Kermit" and "Miss Piggy" fly around and into storms, providing key measurements in forecasting. Instruments deployed during these 8-10 hour flights measure pressure, humidity, temperature and wind direction.The Gulfstream jet flies in the atmosphere above a storm and can provide details on weather systems in the upper atmosphere surrounding developing hurricanes.The two aircraft also carry out atmospheric river reconnaissance, providing data that can improve the forecasting of heavy rain events that produce heavy flooding and landslides across the country. However, the fleet is aging. NOAA said that "Kermit" and "Miss Piggy" will reach the end of their service lives by 2030."The better our forecasts, the more time families, first responders, and local officials have to prepare and save lives before disaster strikes," Padilla said. "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."If signed into law, the Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act would:Authorize $2.5 billion in appropriations to purchase more aircraft and $45 million per year for aircraft maintenance and operationsCodify NOAA's Hurricane Hunter mission into federal lawIncrease the authorized number of C-130J aircraft from a maximum of six to at least six and up to nineDirect NOAA to acquire aircraft to meet its airborne weather reconnaissance missionRequire NOAA to maintain backup aircraft to ensure continuity of operations if aircraft are grounded due to maintenance or mechanical issuesModernize airborne radar and remote sensing capabilities to ensure Hurricane Hunter aircraft are as up-to-date as possibleAuthorize multi-year contracting authority for future aircraft acquisition and supportCodify the requirement that NOAA maintain a sufficient number of qualified NOAA Corps pilots, preserving the specialized expertise these Hurricane Hunter flights demand"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," Cantwell said. "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."The full text of the bill can be read here.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.