The MP944 was the ‘real’ world’s first microprocessor, but it was top secret for nearly 30 years — F-14 Tomcat's chip lived in the shadow of the Intel 4004, but was eight times faster

The MP944 microprocessor, developed for the U.S. Navy's F-14 Tomcat, was a top-secret innovation that pre-dated the Intel 4004 by over a year and was significantly faster, running at 375 kHz and executing 9,375 instructions per second. Designed by a team led by Steve Geller and Ray Holt, the MP944 was a key component in real-time flight parameter calculations for the Tomcat. Despite its groundbreaking performance and military-grade specifications, the MP944 remained classified until 1998, potentially altering the trajectory of the computer industry if its capabilities had been known earlier. The processor's advanced features included self-diagnostic capabilities and rapid fault-switching mechanisms, showcasing its pioneering role in early 1970s technology.