Sponsors (2)
The bill preserves and makes public historic F–14 aircraft without using federal funds, but it shifts costs, compliance burdens, and safety responsibilities to the local Commission and partner organizations, potentially straining budgets and limiting display options.
Taxpayers: the transfer of F–14 aircraft does not require federal appropriations because the receiving Commission must cover conveyance, demilitarization, and O&M costs, reducing direct federal spending.
Veterans, students, and local communities: restored F–14 Tomcats will be available for public display and commemorative events, preserving naval aviation history and providing educational opportunities.
Nonprofits and local governments: museums and qualified nonprofits can partner to restore and exhibit the aircraft, supporting nonprofit activity and heritage tourism in Huntsville.
Receiving Commission and local partners: the Commission must pay all conveyance, compliance, and O&M costs, which could strain its budget and force additional fundraising or reallocation of local resources.
Visitors and local communities: if the Commission fails to properly maintain or secure the aircraft, relics could deteriorate or pose safety and liability risks to visitors.
Nonprofits and the receiving Commission: transferred aircraft may still require demilitarization and be subject to display/use restrictions, increasing restoration complexity, limiting public uses, and raising compliance costs.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Allows the Navy to transfer F‑14 Tomcat aircraft to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission for preservation and public display, with demilitarization and cost/usage conditions.
Introduced February 24, 2026 by Timothy Patrick Sheehy · Last progress February 24, 2026
Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to transfer one or more F‑14 Tomcat aircraft in Navy or Defense Department custody to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama. Transfers may be by sale, gift, loan, or other means and can include conditions such as demilitarization, indemnification, and limits on future use; the Commission must pay all conveyance, restoration, operation, and maintenance costs and may contract with qualified nonprofits to restore and operate the aircraft for public display, airshows, and commemorative events.