To require the evaluation of certain criteria relating to locations for deployment of successor radar systems of the National Weather Service, and for other purposes.
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
IntroducedMr. Moore of North Carolina (for himself, Ms. Ross, and …
Summary
What This Bill Does
The Radar Gap Elimination Act creates a new federal program called "Radar Next" to modernize America's weather radar system. The bill requires the National Weather Service to develop a plan to replace the current NEXRAD (Next Generation Weather Radar) system with newer technology by 2040. The plan must include testing new radar types, identifying areas with poor weather coverage, and working with private companies to fill gaps in radar coverage across the country.
Who Benefits and How
Weather radar manufacturers benefit significantly by gaining access to a multi-billion dollar federal procurement opportunity to build and deploy next-generation phased array radar systems across the United States. Commercial weather data companies and services benefit through authorized partnerships with NOAA to provide gap-filling radar coverage in underserved areas, creating new revenue streams. Research institutions and universities benefit through consultation contracts and participation in the federally-funded radar testbed program.
Who Bears the Burden and How
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Weather Service bear the primary implementation burden, as they must develop comprehensive requirements, create a proof-of-concept system, establish a testing facility, conduct stakeholder consultations, and execute a 16-year modernization plan while maintaining existing operations. Current NEXRAD system contractors face business risk as their maintenance and service contracts will eventually be phased out when the new system replaces existing infrastructure. Federal taxpayers will ultimately bear the cost, though the bill does not include specific appropriations.
Key Provisions
- Establishes the "Radar Next Program" to replace the entire National Weather Service weather radar network by September 30, 2040
- Requires development of a proof-of-concept phased array radar to test specifications for the NEXRAD replacement system
- Creates a weather surveillance radar testbed to evaluate commercial radars and provide technical assistance for gap-filling radars
- Authorizes NOAA to partner or contract with private companies to supplement weather radar coverage using diverse radar technologies and data systems
- Prioritizes new radar deployment in locations more than 75 miles from existing NEXRAD stations and areas where geographical features block current coverage
- Requires periodic congressional reporting on implementation progress to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Evidence Chain:
This summary is derived from the structured analysis below. See "Detailed Analysis" for per-title beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
Primary Purpose
Establishes the Radar Next Program to modernize and replace the National Weather Service's NEXRAD weather radar network by 2040
Policy Domains
Legislative Strategy
"Modernize weather radar infrastructure through public-private partnerships and phased deployment with a 16-year implementation timeline"
Likely Beneficiaries
- Weather radar manufacturers and technology companies (opportunity to bid on NEXRAD replacement contracts)
- Commercial weather data providers (opportunity to partner with NOAA for gap-filling)
- Research institutions and academia (consultation and testbed participation)
- Federal Aviation Administration (weather camera integration)
- Emergency management agencies (improved weather warnings)
- Meteorological services (better data access)
Likely Burden Bearers
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - administrative and implementation burden
- National Weather Service - operational transition burden
- Federal taxpayers - funding for radar network replacement (no specific appropriation in this bill, but implied future costs)
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "the_director"
- → Director of the National Weather Service
- "the_under_secretary"
- → Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
The Radar Next Program established under Section 2
The Next Generation Weather Radar of the National Weather Service system in existence as of the date of the enactment of this Act
As defined in section 2 of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8501)
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
Learn more about our methodology