Sponsors (2)
The bill enables a local museum to obtain and restore historic F‑14D aircraft for public display and airshows at no purchase price—broadening public access to naval aviation heritage—while shifting acquisition, upkeep, liability, and security-related limitations onto local recipients and taxpayers.
Local museums, schools, and local governments (e.g., the U.S. Space and Rocket Center) can acquire three historic F‑14D aircraft at no purchase price for public display and airshows, expanding local cultural and educational programming.
The conveyance includes maintenance manuals and spare parts and permits nonprofit restoration, increasing the likelihood one aircraft can be made flyable or turned into a complete static exhibit and improving long‑term preservation and public access to naval aviation heritage.
Local museums and local taxpayers (through commissions or local governments) must pay all costs for conveyance, FAA compliance, operation, and ongoing maintenance, creating potentially significant local budgetary burdens.
The United States disclaims liability for injury or damage from post‑conveyance use, reducing legal recourse against the federal government and shifting risk to local operators and the public.
Security, transfer, and export limitations — including required demilitarization and constraints under export/espionage laws — restrict international loans/displays and limit operational authenticity (no combat capability), reducing opportunities for international exhibitions and fully authentic demonstrations.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Introduced March 23, 2026 by Timothy Patrick Sheehy · Last progress March 23, 2026
Authorizes the Navy to transfer three specific excess F‑14D Tomcat aircraft (Bureau Nos. 164341, 164602, 159437) at no cost to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama under a conditional deed of gift. Transfers must remove any munitions-launching capability, include available F‑14D manuals and limited spare parts from Navy stock, require FAA compliance for operation, restrict further transfers without Navy approval, and allow reversion to the U.S. if conditions are violated. The recipient bears all costs for conveyance, compliance, operation, and maintenance; the United States disclaims liability for injuries or damage after conveyance. The transfer and any subsequent use remain subject to export, arms control, sanctions, and espionage laws and regulations, and the Secretary may add terms or permit nonprofit contractors to restore and operate the aircraft for public display and airshows.