NOAA meets with industry to forecast replacement of WP-3D aircraft

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is shopping around to find a replacement for their aging WP-3D aircraft, also known as Hurricane Hunters.

According to a Special Notice document released Friday, the agency is offering an opportunity for interested parties to participate in a site visit at the Aircraft Operations Center (AOC) in Lakeland, Fla. During the visit, contractors will view one of the two current Lockheed Martin WP-3D Hurricane Hunter aircraft. NOAA has plans to replace these two aircraft approaching their end of life and operations in 2030.

“While not an exact replacement of the WP-3D, the replacement aircraft will consist of many common systems, features, maintenance techniques, and support infrastructure, scientific and research objectives, weather radar capabilities, as well as many hardpoints modification needs,” NOAA said the Special Notice.

Since NOAA was established in 1970, the agency has operated aircraft to aid in the collection of earth observation data to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts; collect data necessary for weather and water forecasts; and help conserve and manage coastal and marine ecosystems and resources.

The industry site visits to view one of the aircraft are planned for Aug. 15 and 16.

“Aircraft availability is dependent on operational taskings during the indicated site visit dates,” NOAA said. “The WP-3D aircraft are currently scheduled to be at AOC during these dates indicated herein; however, they remain on standby for emergency taskings from the National Hurricane Center.”

NOAA made clear the site visit is intended for information purposes only, “questions regarding the aircraft will not be answered on-site and shall be submitted in writing.”