Experiencing the same glitch, landed the F14 on the Syria quick start case 1 recovery ( got me a 3 wire too after my bolter) and requested a launch, all the AI ran about to their respective positions
Handler lined me up with the catapult, went through all the arm commands, after the power up signal, went to 80% power, hit the salute via the comms menu, they all dropped to their knees, and I remained on the Cat.
Throttled down, went to full AB, hit the salute command again.. still nothing
Sat there for 20 mins trying to launch, till I ran out of fuel.