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TechFPGA Expert Recreates F-14 Tomcat's CADC with MP944 Microprocessor
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FPGA and embedded systems expert Adam Taylor has recreated the U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcat's Central Air Data Computer (CADC) using an FPGA, and tested it in a 3D-printed scale model of the aircraft. The CADC, powered by the MP944 chip—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 VHDL implementations for all six original CADC chips, running on a Spartan-7 FPGA. The MP944, a 20-bit pipelined multi-microprocessor operating at 375 kHz, was classified until 1998. The demonstration successfully operated the model's swing-wing feature, highlighting the historical significance of the MP944 in aviation computing.
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FPGA and embedded systems expert Adam Taylor has recreated the U.S. Navy's F-14 Tomcat's Central Air Data Computer (CADC) in an FPGA. The CADC is famous for being the brains behind the F-14's advanced fighter capabilities, including the control of the aircraft's signature articulated sweep-wing system.
To test the new FPGA recreation, 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 discussions erupted over whether this flight computer was actually powered by the "world's first microprocessor."
The brains behind the CADC were provided by the MP944 chip, which lived in the shadows for quite some time. Despite the MP944 microprocessor beginning service in June 1970 — over a year before Intel's legendary 4004 became available in November 1971 — it remained an official secret until 1998. As a result, the Intel 4004 managed to steal the limelight from the true first microprocessor, according to those in the MP944 camp.
MP944 Specifications
- Architecture: 20-bit, pipelined, parallel multi-microprocessor
- Technology: State-of-the-art MOS technology
- Clock speed: 375 kHz
- Performance: 9,375 instructions per second
- Designers: Steve Geller, Ray Holt, and a 25-strong team
- Operating temperature range: -55°C to +125°C (passed stringent ruggedness tests)
The MP944 worked as part of a six-chip system in the CADC, enabling real-time calculation of flight parameters such as altitude, airspeed, and Mach number. It was a key innovation that enabled the Tomcat's articulated sweep-wing system.
Some chip architecture enthusiasts assert that the MP944 was actually "8x faster than the Intel 4004." However, the Intel chip was originally designed for a far more humble desktop calculator.
Adam 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 was a Spartan-7 based SoM, part of the Adiuvo Embedded System Tile. The resource is not limited to the MP944 logic alone — Taylor includes complete synthesizable VHDL implementations for all six original CADC chips.
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FPGA Expert Recreates F-14 Tomcat's CADC with MP944 Microprocessor in 3D-Printed Model