The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed the companion bill to the Maverick Act of 2026, introduced by Congressman Abraham Hamadeh in the House, to preserve the last three F-14 Tomcats for public display and educational purposes.
The legislation creates a narrow exception to post-retirement restrictions that led to the destruction of nearly all F-14s. It permits demilitarization and transfer of three of the worlds final Tomcats under strict national security safeguards, without restoring combat capability or allowing foreign transfers.
One short video report suggests the act would send three retired F-14D Tomcats to a museum in Alabama and possibly restore one to flight, though official bill descriptions emphasize display and education.
Hamadehs bill, introduced April 17, 2026, as a companion to Senator Tim Sheehy’s Senate version, drew bipartisan support. Original House cosponsors include Representatives Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), Austin Scott (R-GA), Rich McCormick (R-GA), Jack Bergman (R-MI), Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Don Davis (D-NC), and James Moylan (R-GU).
The F-14 Tomcat, retired by the U.S. Navy in 2006, gained fame through the film Top Gun, with its variable-sweep wings and interceptor role.