The bill was introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), the chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), the ranking member, as well as six other senators from both sides of the aisle.NOAA’s Hurricane Hunter Fleet consists of two WP-3D Orion four-engine aircraft, dubbed “Kermit” and “Miss Piggy,” and one Gulfstream IV-SP aircraft, which fly directly into hurricanes to collect data and help forecasters understand storm processes and improve forecasting.
Kermit and Miss Piggy spend 8-10 hours cutting in and out of hurricanes as scientists investigate wind, pressure, humidity, and temperature changes as they descend toward the ocean to get a real-time look at storms. The pair of P-3 aircraft’s service will expire in 2030.
The G-IV, also known as “Gonzo,” similarly paints a detailed picture of weather in the upper atmosphere and has flown around nearly every Atlantic-based hurricane that has threatened the United States since 1997. Each mission covers thousands of miles surrounding hurricanes as researchers aboard map the movement of storms.
The age of Kermit, Miss Piggy, and Gonzo has led to problems with the aircraft as they undergo significant wear and tear when they fly into severe weather.
