The Maverick Act would let the Secretary of the Navy give three surplus F-14D Tomcat aircraft (Bureau Numbers 164341, 164602, 159437) to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama. The transfer would be made by a conditional deed of gift. The bill says the aircraft do not have any capability to launch or release munitions or any other combat capability.
The Secretary would not be required to repair or alter the aircraft before transfer. The Secretary must provide any F-14D maintenance and operations manuals that the Navy has the rights to share. The Secretary would provide excess spare parts from existing Navy stock to make one aircraft flyable or to complete a static display, but would not buy new parts for the Commission or provide additional support beyond what the bill describes.
The Secretary may allow the Commission to make agreements with qualified nonprofit organizations to restore and operate the aircraft for public display, airshows, and commemorative events to preserve naval aviation heritage. The Secretary can add terms to protect U.S. interests.
The conveyance would include conditions that the Commission must follow FAA limitations and maintenance rules, may not transfer ownership or possession without the Secretary's approval, and that failure to follow these conditions would cause title and possession to revert to the United States. The transfer would be at no cost to the United States; the Commission would pay costs of the conveyance, compliance, operation, and maintenance. After transfer, the United States would not be liable for death, injury, loss, or damage resulting from any use of the aircraft by anyone other than the United States. The transfer and subsequent use are subject to listed federal export and arms-control laws and regulations.