Radar Next Program Act of 2026

# Summary of the Radar Next Program Act of 2026

This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to begin planning and developing the next generation of weather radar systems to eventually replace the current national network, known as NEXRAD (Next Generation Weather Radar). The existing NEXRAD system, which has been in use since the early 1990s, is the backbone of weather forecasting and severe storm detection across the United States. The bill recognizes that this aging infrastructure will need a modern replacement to continue providing reliable weather data.

Under the legislation, NOAA would be required to establish a formal program — likely called "Radar Next" — to research, evaluate, and plan for advanced radar technologies that could improve weather observation capabilities. This would include studying new radar approaches, such as phased array radar and other emerging technologies, assessing costs, and developing a timeline for transitioning from the current system to a new one. The bill likely requires NOAA to coordinate with other federal agencies, universities, and the private sector during this process.

The bill affects virtually all Americans, since weather radar data is essential for issuing tornado warnings, tracking hurricanes, predicting severe thunderstorms, monitoring precipitation, and supporting aviation safety. Farmers, emergency managers, airline pilots, meteorologists, and the general public all rely on accurate radar information daily. By directing NOAA to begin this planning process now, the bill aims to ensure there is no gap in the country's weather monitoring capabilities as the current radar network ages out.

The legislation was introduced in the Senate and has been referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation for consideration, which is the standard first step in the legislative process.