Sponsors (2)
The bill preserves and makes available historic F-14D aircraft for public education and heritage displays at no purchase price while shifting substantial restoration, maintenance, compliance, and liability costs and risks onto the recipient organization.
The U.S. Space and Rocket Center (and associated schools, veterans groups, and local communities) can receive three historic F-14D aircraft at no purchase cost for public display and airshows, preserving naval aviation heritage and creating educational and cultural opportunities.
Taxpayers are protected from the direct cost of acquiring and maintaining these aircraft because the conveyance places restoration, operation, and compliance costs on the recipient.
Conditions such as reversion rights and Secretary approval requirements help ensure the aircraft remain under U.S. control and are operated safely, reducing the risk of misuse or inappropriate transfer.
The U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission must fund all restoration and ongoing maintenance costs, which could significantly strain its budget and divert funds from other programs, exhibits, or community services.
The United States disclaims liability for death, injury, or damage arising from post-conveyance use, shifting legal and financial risk to the recipient and the public and increasing potential exposure to lawsuits and costs.
Spare parts are limited to existing Navy stock and the Navy has no obligation to repair the aircraft, making it likely the planes could remain nonflyable or incomplete without substantial additional expense.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Allows the Navy to give three specified surplus F‑14D aircraft to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission under conditions on repair, parts, operation, export controls, liability, and title reversion.
Introduced March 23, 2026 by Timothy Patrick Sheehy · Last progress May 4, 2026
Authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to convey three specific surplus F‑14D Tomcat aircraft to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama by conditional deed of gift. The transfer is at no cost to the United States but requires the Commission to pay all costs, comply with FAA rules for operation, accept limits on Navy support, and follow U.S. export, arms control, and national security laws; title can revert to the U.S. if conditions are breached. The conveyance includes conditions on repairs (no pre-transfer repair by the Navy), transfer of manuals and spare parts (as allowed and from existing Navy stock), limits on further transfers without Navy approval, permission for the Commission to contract with qualified nonprofits for restoration and public display, and a U.S. liability disclaimer for certain post‑transfer uses by non‑U.S. persons.