Best Flight Simulators for Military Aircraft Enthusiasts: An In-Depth Guide.
Flight simulation is more than just a game—it’s an immersive experience that allows players to take control of some of the world’s most iconic military aircraft. Whether you’re soaring through the skies in a high-speed dogfight or navigating the intricacies of tactical warfare, military flight simulators offer unmatched realism, intense gameplay, and a deep dive into aviation.
But for new players or enthusiasts looking to upgrade their rig, there are several important factors to consider. This article will explore some of the best flight simulators available for military aircraft enthusiasts, examine the types of gameplay available (single-player vs multiplayer, PvP vs PvE), and guide you on PC specs to ensure you have the best experience possible.
Top Flight Simulators for Military Aircraft Enthusiasts
- DCS World (Digital Combat Simulator) DCS World is arguably the gold standard for military flight simulators, offering an unmatched level of realism and depth. With a wide variety of military jets such as the F-18 Hornet, F-16 Falcon, and A-10 Warthog, the game boasts realistic avionics, flight dynamics, and combat systems. DCS World is highly modular, allowing players to purchase individual aircraft modules, each painstakingly modeled to reflect their real-world counterparts. Experience:
- Single Player: DCS offers an extensive single-player experience, where new players can take on training missions, campaigns, and practice flights to get a feel for their aircraft. It’s a steep learning curve, but for those serious about military aviation, it’s incredibly rewarding. New players can opt for simplified control modes or full realism for a hardcore experience.
- Multiplayer: The multiplayer mode in DCS World is where the game truly shines. Enthusiasts can team up with friends or join squadrons, engaging in large-scale cooperative or competitive missions. From tactical bombing runs to air superiority missions, the variety of multiplayer scenarios makes every flight unique.
- PvP and PvE: DCS features both player-versus-player (PvP) and player-versus-environment (PvE) modes. PvP battles can be intense, as experienced players often possess extensive knowledge of their aircraft’s capabilities. PvE missions, on the other hand, allow players to engage in complex war scenarios against AI enemies, ranging from dogfights to large-scale campaigns.
IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles
- IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles For fans of World War II combat, IL-2 Sturmovik: Great Battles offers a historically focused simulation. The game includes classic warbirds like the Spitfire, P-51 Mustang, and Messerschmitt Bf 109, all modeled with remarkable accuracy. While it lacks the modern jet warfare of DCS, IL-2 excels at recreating the feel of WWII dogfighting. Experience:
- Single Player: IL-2 features engaging single-player campaigns that recreate famous battles such as the Battle of Stalingrad or Normandy Invasion. New players can enjoy these historical missions while mastering older aircraft designs, which present different challenges compared to modern jets.
- Multiplayer: IL-2’s multiplayer mode is home to both casual players and hardcore history buffs. In online missions, players can reenact famous air battles from history. Whether flying with a squadron or going solo, the game offers PvP and PvE modes that bring WWII aviation to life.
- PvP and PvE: In multiplayer, PvP dogfights are common, but there are also cooperative PvE campaigns where players work together to take on AI-controlled enemies. This dynamic keeps the game feeling fresh and challenging, whether you’re going head-to-head or focusing on tactical bombing runs.
Microsoft Flight Simulator Plus Military Addons
- Microsoft Flight Simulator (With Military Add-ons) While Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) is known primarily for civilian aviation, the addition of community-made military aircraft add-ons has made it a viable option for military aviation enthusiasts. Although it doesn’t feature realistic combat mechanics, the beauty and realism of MSFS’s world make it a popular option for those who prioritize flight dynamics and scenery over combat. Experience:
- Single Player: MSFS provides the best global map and environmental simulation, allowing players to fly military aircraft over real-world locations. Add-ons like the F-15 and Eurofighter Typhoon are popular choices, though they lack the combat depth found in dedicated military simulators.
- Multiplayer: While combat isn’t a focus in MSFS, its multiplayer mode allows for cooperative missions or casual flying sessions with friends. With the right mods, you can simulate reconnaissance or military transport missions, creating your own experiences.
- PvP and PvE: PvP combat is not available in MSFS, but players can participate in PvE-style missions with specific mods, including rescue or tactical scenarios. It’s a great option for those who enjoy flying military aircraft in a non-combat setting.
Falcon BMS – Just Amazing Combat Choice.
Falcon BMS, the modernized version of the classic Falcon 4.0, remains one of the most revered military flight simulators, especially among combat aviation enthusiasts. The highlight of Falcon BMS is undoubtedly its Dynamic Campaign, a feature that many modern sims like DCS World or military add-ons in Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) struggle to replicate in the same immersive and interactive way. This has kept Falcon BMS a fan favorite for years, and the recent news that MicroProse has repurchased the Falcon license has sparked excitement about a modernized version on the horizon.
Why Falcon BMS’ Dynamic Campaign Is the Best
The Dynamic Campaign in Falcon BMS is a living, breathing war environment that reacts to player actions in real-time. Unlike traditional static missions where the outcome is predetermined, the Dynamic Campaign in Falcon BMS allows every sortie, ground strike, or air superiority mission to have a tangible impact on the overall war effort. The world evolves based on your successes and failures, with AI making strategic decisions on a large scale, creating a truly immersive experience. As a player, you feel like you’re part of a bigger conflict, where your actions shape the outcome of the war, creating endless replayability.
This is where Falcon BMS shines beyond DCS World or MSFS military add-ons, which tend to focus on individual missions rather than overarching war scenarios. In DCS, missions are often highly scripted, with predictable outcomes and set objectives. MSFS, on the other hand, while visually stunning, focuses more on the joy of flying rather than complex combat mechanics and strategy.
What Falcon BMS Offers to New Players
For new players, Falcon BMS might seem daunting at first, but it offers a unique balance of realism and accessibility. The depth of the F-16’s avionics, flight systems, and combat operations is on par with DCS, but the built-in Dynamic Campaign makes every mission meaningful. Instead of replaying isolated missions or scripted campaigns, new players can jump into a persistent war scenario where they directly influence outcomes, giving them a sense of purpose and progression.
Comparing Falcon BMS to MSFS military add-ons, Falcon BMS is far more combat-focused. MSFS, while allowing military aircraft to be flown, lacks the depth of combat operations and battlefield immersion that Falcon BMS offers. If you’re primarily interested in combat scenarios, air superiority missions, and contributing to a larger war effort, Falcon BMS is far superior in these areas.
Falcon BMS vs. DCS World
While DCS World is known for its unparalleled aircraft realism and detailed modules, Falcon BMS wins in terms of strategic immersion with its dynamic, ever-changing war scenario. Where DCS excels in recreating individual aircraft to near-perfect fidelity, Falcon BMS focuses on a complete combat experience with both strategic and tactical decision-making.
Falcon BMS remains a must-play for combat simmers who crave a persistent, strategic war environment, and with MicroProse stepping back in to modernize the game, the future for Falcon looks brighter than ever!
Single Player vs Multiplayer for New Players
For beginners, the choice between single-player and multiplayer gameplay is crucial, as it impacts the learning curve and overall experience.
- Single Player:
Single-player modes are ideal for new players to get comfortable with flight controls, systems, and basic tactics. You can start with training missions that guide you through the cockpit and avionics step-by-step. Simulators like DCS and IL-2 offer campaigns that ease you into different aspects of military aviation without the pressure of competition. - Multiplayer:
Multiplayer is where the community aspect of flight simulators comes to life. New players may find it intimidating at first, as the skill gap between experienced pilots and newcomers can be significant. However, multiplayer offers more dynamic and unpredictable scenarios, especially when flying with friends. Joining squadrons or virtual air wings can help speed up the learning process, as experienced players often mentor beginners. Recommendation: Start in single-player to grasp the basics, then gradually transition to multiplayer for a richer experience. Multiplayer is also a great place to experiment with cooperative missions (PvE) before engaging in the high-stakes PvP dogfights.
PvP vs PvE: Which Is Right for You?
- PvP (Player vs Player):
PvP in flight simulators is a test of skill, reflexes, and knowledge of your aircraft. Combat against human opponents is dynamic, unpredictable, and can be incredibly challenging. If you enjoy head-to-head competition, aerial dogfights, and the satisfaction of outmaneuvering an opponent, PvP is the right mode for you. - PvE (Player vs Environment):
PvE focuses on missions against AI-controlled enemies, such as ground units, aircraft, and naval forces. This mode is generally less stressful than PvP, as AI enemies are typically more predictable. PvE scenarios can range from simple training exercises to complex, large-scale campaigns. If you enjoy strategy and teamwork over pure combat, PvE provides a more relaxed experience without sacrificing excitement.
PC Specs for Flight Simulators
To enjoy the best flight simulators for military aircraft, you need a capable PC. Here’s what you need to know for top-tier, mid-range, and low-spec systems in 2024 and beyond. New gear drops on the market all the time especially the AMD X3D chips with some amazing new chips in the rumor mill for INTEL so lets look forward to that. Nvidia and AMD are getting closer to release their 8000 and 50 series GPUs in the not to distance so there’s more performance in the wind there too.
Top-Tier PC Specs:
For a truly immersive experience with ultra-high graphics and smooth gameplay, a top-tier PC is recommended. This setup will allow you to max out all settings and enjoy high frame rates, even in large multiplayer battles or complex scenarios.
- CPU: Intel Core i9 13900K / AMD Ryzen 9 7950X
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4090 / AMD RX 7900 XTX
- RAM: 64GB DDR5
- Storage: 2TB NVMe SSD
- Monitor: 1440p or 4K, 120Hz or higher
Mid-Range PC Specs:
A mid-range PC can still offer excellent performance with high settings and smooth gameplay in most scenarios. You may need to lower graphics slightly during large battles but will still enjoy a great experience.
- CPU: Intel Core i7 13700K / AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
- GPU: NVIDIA RTX 4070 / AMD RX 7700 XT
- RAM: 32GB DDR5
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
- Monitor: 1080p or 1440p, 60Hz-120Hz
Low-Spec PC Experience:
While a low-spec PC can handle flight simulators with reduced settings, it may struggle in more complex missions or multiplayer environments. However, for new players looking to dip their toes into military flight simulators, it’s still possible to enjoy the experience.
- CPU: Intel Core i5 12400F / AMD Ryzen 5 5600X
- GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super / AMD RX 580
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 500GB SSD
- Monitor: 1080p, 60Hz
Conclusion: The Best Flight Simulator for Military Aircraft Enthusiasts
When it comes to choosing the best flight simulator for military aircraft enthusiasts, DCS World takes the crown for its unparalleled realism, variety of aircraft, and extensive multiplayer options.
For fans of historical combat, IL-2 Sturmovik offers an excellent WWII-era experience. If you’re looking for an all-around flying experience with stunning visuals and military add-ons.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is a solid option, though it’s not focused solely on combat. Ultimately, the best simulator for you depends on your preferences—whether you enjoy modern jets, historical dogfights, or simply flying military aircraft in beautiful environments. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned.
Author.
Brendon McAliece (Aka Gunnie) is a a military veteran with 23 years working on Jet Fighters, their weapons systems and ejection seat/module systems as well as munitions and R&D. Involved with flight simulation since the 1980s, he has flown all the major flight simulators over the years.
He is an Australian expat who has lived in Malaysia, UK, Saudi Arabia and more recently Thailand. He is a multi-lingual blogger who loves to share his life experiences here on LetsFlyVFR.com and DreamingGuitar.com, with his lifestyle and Travel experiences Blog plus his Dreaming Coffee website.