S. 4161: Maverick Act

The bill, known as the Maverick Act, proposes to authorize the transfer of three surplus F-14D Tomcat aircraft from the U.S. Navy to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission located in Huntsville, Alabama. Here are the key points regarding this legislation:

Transfer of Aircraft

• The Secretary of the Navy is allowed to transfer ownership of the three F-14D Tomcat aircraft, which are considered excess to the operational needs of the Navy, without any cost involved.
• The aircraft included in this conveyance have been specified by Bureau Numbers: 164341, 164602, and 159437.

Conditions of the Transfer

• The aircraft will be conveyed by a conditional deed of gift, meaning certain stipulations must be followed.
• The aircraft will not have any capabilities for launching or releasing munitions and will not possess combat functionalities.
• The Secretary of the Navy is not required to repair or modify the aircraft before the transfer.

Support and Maintenance

• The Secretary of the Navy is required to provide relevant maintenance and operations manuals for the F-14D aircraft and any excess spare parts necessary to make one of the aircraft operational or suitable for static display.
• It is noted that the Secretary will not provide any additional support or parts beyond what is specified in the bill.

Operational Restrictions

• The U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission may form agreements with qualified nonprofit organizations to restore and operate the aircraft for public events, ensuring the preservation of naval aviation heritage.
• The Commission must comply with all applicable Federal Aviation Administration regulations for operation and maintenance of the aircraft.

Reversion of Ownership

• If the Commission fails to meet any outlined conditions, all rights and ownership of the aircraft can revert to the United States, allowing for immediate possession by the Navy.
• The Commission is prohibited from transferring ownership or possession of the aircraft to any other party without prior approval from the Secretary of the Navy.

Liability and Costs

• Once the aircraft is conveyed, the U.S. government will not be liable for any incidents that may occur involving the aircraft after the transfer.
• All costs related to the operation, maintenance, and compliance with the conditions of the aircraft will be the responsibility of the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission.

Applicable Laws

• The transfer and utilization of the aircraft will adhere to various federal and state laws, including regulations governing export controls and arms oversight.

Relevant Companies

• None found