Acquisition of aircraft for air, atmosphere, and weather reconnaissance and research missions

(a)

In general

Section 11708 of the Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 (division K of Public Law 117–263; 136 Stat. 4158; 33 U.S.C. note prec. 851) is amended—(1)in subsection (a)—(A)by striking

Increased

and all that follows through The Under and inserting Hurricane hunter mission.—The Under;(B)by striking shall acquire and inserting the following:

shall—(1)acquire and maintain

;

(C) by striking requirements and all that follows through air reconnaissance and and inserting requirements to meet the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration air reconnaissance and; and (D)by striking (B) to ensure and all that follows through or nongovernmental entities. in paragraph (2) and inserting the following:

(2)carry out airborne reconnaissance and research missions using such aircraft platforms under paragraph (1).

;

(2)by redesignating subsections (b), (c), and (d) as subsections (d), (e), and (h), respectively;(3)by inserting after subsection (a) the following:

(b)

Mission requirements

In carrying out subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall—(1)collect real-time meteorological, oceanographic, and atmospheric observations and ensure such data is made available in near real-time for research and operational purposes, including forecasting, warning, and reconnaissance missions;(2)maintain the capability to safely conduct direct airborne penetration of hurricanes and tropical cyclones; and(3)ensure continuity of airborne hurricane reconnaissance capability during any aircraft recapitalization or transition period, including through the acquisition and maintenance of backup capabilities sufficient to prevent a single point of failure.(c)

Airborne observing technologies

In carrying out subsection (a), the Under Secretary shall maintain and replace airborne radar and remote sensing capabilities, including Tail Doppler Radar capabilities or successor technologies, necessary to support operational hurricane reconnaissance and forecasting missions.

;

(4)in subsection (d) (as so redesignated)—(A)in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking up to 6 and inserting not fewer than 6, but not more than 9, manned; and(B)in paragraph (2), by striking subparagraph (A) and inserting paragraph (1);(5)in subsection (e) (as so redesignated), by striking agency air reconnaissance and research mission requirements and inserting the mission requirements described in subsection (b);(6)by inserting after subsection (e), as so redesignated, the following:

(f)

Multiyear contracts

(1)

In general

The Under Secretary may enter into multiyear contracts in accordance with section 3903 of title 41, United States Code, for purposes of carrying out this section and shall ensure compliance with all contract clauses provided in such section of title 41, United States Code.(2)

Exception for contract duration limitation

The limitation on the duration of such contracts provided under subsection (a) of such section of title 41, United States Code, shall not apply to contracts for the acquisition of aircraft in accordance with this section or the maintenance of such aircraft, including any associated services or support, provided that such contracts comply with applicable law and include appropriate safeguards for any unfunded contingent liability in the event of cancellation.(g)

NOAA Corps Aviation Capability

The Under Secretary shall maintain qualified National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps aviators to conduct the airborne reconnaissance and research missions authorized under subsection (a)(2).

; and

(7)in subsection (h), as so redesignated—(A)by striking For and inserting the following:

(1)

Acquisition of aircraft

For

;

(B)by striking year 2023 and inserting years 2027 through 2031;(C)by striking $800,000,000 and inserting $2,500,000,000; and(D)by adding at the end the following:

(2)

OMAO aviation operations and aircraft services

For each of fiscal years 2027 through 2031, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Under Secretary $45,000,000 for aviation operations and aircraft services by the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.

(b)

Transfer

(1)

Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017

The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended by repealing section 413 (15 U.S.C. 8549).(2)

Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022

The Don Young Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2022 is further amended by transferring section 11708 of such Act, as amended by subsection (a), to the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501 et seq.) to appear as section 413 of such Act and redesignating such section, as so transferred, as section 413.(c)

Clerical amendments

The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended by striking the item related to section 413 and inserting the following:

Sec. 413. Acquisition of aircraft for air, atmosphere, and weather reconnaissance and research missions.