Gogo Secures $7.5 Million NOAA Contract to Power Hurricane Hunter Aircraft Communications

As the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season approaches, reliable airborne communications are becoming increasingly critical for weather intelligence and disaster preparedness. In a major development for mission-critical aviation connectivity, SD Government, a subsidiary of Gogo serving defense and government markets, has secured a multi-year $7.5 million contract with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

The agreement will support NOAA’s Aircraft Operations Center (AOC), home to the agency’s iconic “Hurricane Hunter” fleet, including the Lockheed Martin WP-3D aircraft famously known as “Kermit” and “Miss Piggy.” These aircraft fly directly into severe storms to collect real-time atmospheric and environmental data that helps forecasters track hurricanes, improve predictive models, and support emergency response operations.

Under the contract, SD Government will provide a complete mission communications solution designed to ensure secure, uninterrupted connectivity during high-risk weather operations. The package includes L-Band satellite communications (SATCOM), supporting ground infrastructure, cybersecurity services through Gogo’s Melbourne, Florida data center, and the company’s FlightDeck Freedom cockpit datalink software suite.

The upgraded communications ecosystem is expected to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen the delivery of critical weather intelligence from aircraft operating inside storm systems to analysts and decision-makers on the ground.

The contract underscores the growing importance of resilient aerospace communications infrastructure in both civilian and government operations, particularly as climate-driven weather events increase in intensity and frequency.

“NOAA is a trusted global leader in airborne research, offering life-saving services to the U.S. and other nations,” said Ben Massey, Senior Vice President of Government Sales at Gogo. “We’re proud to support the delivery of vital data from the storm’s eye to decision-makers, utilizing our robust and reliable networks and infrastructure.”

The award also highlights the expanding role of commercial satellite communications providers in supporting national resilience, weather intelligence, and emergency preparedness missions. As governments continue modernizing airborne surveillance and data-gathering capabilities, secure aviation connectivity solutions are becoming a foundational component of operational readiness.

With hurricane forecasting accuracy and response timelines increasingly dependent on uninterrupted data transmission, partnerships like this between NOAA and Gogo are helping reinforce the technological backbone behind some of the world’s most critical weather monitoring missions.