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TechFPGA expert recreates F-14 Tomcat's Central Air Data Computer in 3D-printed model
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FPGA and embedded systems expert Alan Taylor has successfully recreated the U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcat's Central Air Data Computer (CADC) using an FPGA, and demonstrated it in a 3D-printed scale model of the aircraft. The CADC, powered by the MP944 microprocessor—which some argue was the world's first microprocessor, predating Intel's 4004 by over a year—controlled the fighter's swing-wing system and computed flight parameters like altitude, airspeed, and Mach number. Taylor's open-source project includes complete synthesizable VHDL implementations for all six original CADC chips, running on a Spartan-7 FPGA. The MP944, a 20-bit pipelined parallel multi-microprocessor operating at 375 kHz, was classified until 1998. The recreation allows the model's swing wings to function, showcasing the historic chip's capabilities.
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FPGA and embedded systems expert Alan Taylor has successfully recreated the U.S. Navy's F-14 Tomcat's Central Air Data Computer (CADC) in an FPGA. The CADC is renowned as the brains behind the F-14's advanced fighter capabilities, including control of the aircraft's signature articulated sweep-wing system.
To put the new FPGA recreation to the test, Taylor built a 3D printed scale model of the F-14 Tomcat. A video demonstration is embedded below.
Fridays are for demos. We recreated the F14 CADC, it seemed only right we could test it with the actual swing wing feature. So we created a 3D printed F14 its first test. https://t.co/UUvebMIXei pic.twitter.com/3Mfcvo7Pnq — July 24, 2026
Background on the MP944 Microprocessor
Tom's Hardware covered the F-14 Tomcat's CADC last year after social media debates erupted over whether this flight computer was powered by the "world's first microprocessor." The CADC's intelligence came from the MP944 chip, which remained largely unknown for decades.
Despite entering service in June 1970 — over a year before Intel's legendary 4004 became available in November 1971 — the MP944 was classified as an official secret until 1998. As a result, the Intel 4004 claimed the spotlight as the first microprocessor, though proponents of the MP944 argue otherwise.
MP944 Specifications
- Architecture: 20-bit, pipelined, parallel multi-microprocessor
- Technology: State-of-the-art MOS
- Clock speed: 375 kHz
- Performance: 9,375 instructions per second
- Temperature range: -55°C to +125°C (ruggedized for military use)
- Design team: Steve Geller, Ray Holt, and a 25-person team
Role in the F-14 Tomcat
The MP944 operated as part of a six-chip system within the CADC, performing real-time calculations of flight parameters such as altitude, airspeed, and Mach number. This capability was a key innovation enabling the Tomcat's articulated sweep-wing system.
Some chip architecture enthusiasts assert that the MP944 was "8x faster than the Intel 4004." However, it is worth noting that the Intel chip was originally designed for a far more humble desktop calculator.
Alan Taylor's FPGA Recreation
Taylor's recent achievement includes a full open-source set of VHDL source code, documentation, and testbenches for an FPGA recreation of the F-14's CADC. According to the GitHub repository, the FPGA used is a Spartan-7 based System-on-Module (SoM), part of the Adiuvo Embedded System Tile.
The resource goes beyond just the MP944 logic — Taylor includes complete synthesizable VHDL implementations for all six original CADC chips.
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FPGA Expert Recreates F-14 Tomcat's Central Air Data Computer in 3D-Printed Model