10 July, 2026 | ZEROGeoengineering.com | Interference with storms via atmospheric research experiments raises serious legal, ethical, and environmental questions. | Proposed legislation S. 4802, the ‘‘Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act,’’ provides Congressional funding for weather reconnaissance and research missions for fiscal years 2027-2031. Participating agencies include the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) aviation operations and aircraft services. NOAA and OMAO are ICAMS (Interagency Council for Advancing Meteorological Services) weather enterprise agencies, funded also in NOAA’s FY 2027 budget estimate pursuant to the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (Public Law No. 115-25, Title IV, sec. 402, 15 U.S.C. § 8542). [Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably. SB4802 Detail]  

“…airborne reconnaissance and research missions using such aircraft platforms under paragraph (1).’’

“…conduct direct airborne penetration of hurricanes and tropical cyclones;”

MULTIYEAR CONTRACTS.— 

‘‘years 2027 through 2031’’ … ‘‘$2,500,000,000’’

The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017

Link To S.4802 – The Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Recapitalization Act Introduced June 2026

Related

NOAA Budget Estimates FY 2027

‘‘Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2026’’

H.R.353 – Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017

ICAMS: Federal Coordination of Weather Research

2026 ICAMS National Hurricane Operations Plan

Space Weather Operations, Research, and Mitigation (SWORM)

ICAMS National Hurricane Operations Plan 2025

THE U.S. WEATHER AND CLIMATE ENTERPRISE

The Federal Role in Weather Modification