Hurricane Hunter Planes May May Be Cut

By Douglas McIntyre  •  March 17, 2025
Pixabay Pexels

The government may kill the famous Hurrrance Hunter planes. These planes fly through hurricanes to collect important weather data, and their missions are dangerous. However, they may be short of their mission goals.

According to the GOA, “NOAA and Air Force Should Take Steps to Meet Growing Demand for Reconnaissance Missions,” Maintenance costs and staff shortages, including aircraft upgrades and maintenance, were challenges. The GAO said that the planes cannot keep up with demand, which rose sharply in 2014 and has risen since,

NOAA Cutbacks

The analysis concluded that “NOAA plans to acquire six aircraft to replace its three aging planes, and the Air Force has identified needed technology upgrades for its aircraft. However, NOAA and Air Force senior leaders do not have a mechanism to communicate with each other about their plans and resources regularly.”

The NOAA is already cutting back costs sharply because of those mandated by the Trump Administration. The National Weather Service has been affected. It is almost impossible that the Hurricane Hunter programs will not be scrutinized. 

Layoff Challenges

Axios reports, “The NOAA layoffs of more than a dozen personnel, including members of Hurricane Hunter flight crews and mechanics, threatened its ability to meet basic mission requirements for the 2025 hurricane season.”

This is another example of a program built based on public safety needs that could disappear.

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