3D-printed F-14 Tomcat uses an FPGA recreation of the ‘world’s first microprocessor'

Recently, electronics engineer Alan Taylor successfully recreated the Central Air Data Computer (CADC) system of the U.S. Navy's F-14 Tomcat fighter jet using FPGA technology. At the heart of this sys... Read original →

This technical recreation underscores FPGA's disruptive role in historical chip emulation, posing potential risks to current semiconductor supply chain strategies. The MP944's open-source replication challenges traditional IP licensing models and could prompt regulatory reassessment of legacy patents, especially in military electronics. In competitive terms, this move may push major players to open their historical IP to maintain technological dominance. Over the next 12–24 months, FPGA adoption in aerospace and defense sectors will accelerate, fostering a maturing open-hardware ecosystem and reshaping competitive dynamics in high-reliability electronics.