The U.S. Senate unanimously passed Maverick Act -
The Maverick Act allows three of the world’s final F-14 Tomcats to be demilitarized and transferred for public display and education under strict national security safeguards. It does not restore combat capability or reopen foreign transfer.
The aircraft would be transferred to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center Commission in Huntsville, Alabama
The Act would allow for one Tomcat to return to flying status.
Bureau Numbers 164341, 164602, 159437
164341 - November 2002 (VF-213) during familiarizaton flight from NAS Fallon, NV Nov 6, 2002, backseater accidentally fired his ejection seat. He landed safely.
164602 - Delivered to the US Navy on May, 1st 1992 as a F-14D, this act was passed on May, 1st 2026 - 33 years ago.
159437 - Known as "Fast Eagle 107," is a historically significant US Navy fighter that shot down a Libyan MiG-23 on January 4, 1989. Operating from the USS John F. Kennedy with VF-32 "Swordsmen," it played a key role in the second Gulf of Sidra incident.
The Maverick Act just passed the Senate, allowing the US Navy to transfer a trio of retired F-14D Tomcats and necessary spare parts to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.
The F-14s have also been authorized to potentially be restored to flying condition.