Senate Proposal: $2.5B Needed for Hurricane Hunter Upgrades

Buzzline

A bipartisan initiative in the Senate aims to allocate $2.5 billion to NOAA for the modernization and expansion of its aging fleet of Hurricane Hunters, which currently consists of three planes that venture into hurricanes and significant storm systems. This plan also proposes an annual addition of $45 million to recruit specialized pilots and enhance mission support. With NOAA’s two WP-3D Orion aircraft projected to retire by 2030, concerns about the accuracy of forecasts have been raised. Legislators are advocating for a minimum of six aircraft, potentially increasing to nine, to improve storm tracking in the future.

Transcript

00:00NOAA's Hurricane Hunter fleet is aging fast.

00:03And senators say that could put storm forecasts at risk.

00:07A bipartisan bill in the Senate would provide $2.5 billion to buy new aircraft for NOAA.

00:13The plan also adds $45 million per year to hire more specialized pilots.

00:18Right now, NOAA operates three Hurricane Hunter planes.

00:22Two of them, the WP-3D Orion aircraft known as Kermit and Miss Piggy,

00:27are expected to reach the end of service life in 2030.

00:31These planes fly directly into hurricanes, tropical storms, and atmospheric river systems.

00:37The data they collect helps improve forecasts for storm track, intensity, flooding, and rapid strengthening.

00:45Lawmakers say mechanical problems have already forced some missions to be canceled in recent seasons.

00:51The bill would expand NOAA's fleet to at least six aircraft, with a possible maximum of nine.

00:57Supporters say a newer, larger fleet is critical as extreme weather threats grow across the United States.

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