Soaring through the clouds, playing hide and seek with enemy forces – that’s what makes military flight simulators so fantastic!
Realistic military flight simulators perfectly combine aerial strategy with the sheer enjoyment of flying the most legendary aircraft models.
Is there anything better than that adrenaline rush when you shoot down an enemy not lucky enough to see you coming? If you share this sentiment and wonder what to play, these best military flight simulators should be your next stop.
| Game | Release | Genre | Developer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | War Thunder Us Starter Pack | 2019-06-25 | Simulator | Gaijin Entertainment |
 | War Thunder Ussr Beginners Pack | 2020-01-30 | Simulator | Gaijin Entertainment |
 | Ace Combat 7 Skies Unknown Standard Edition | 2019-02-01 | Simulation | Project Aces |
 | Project Wingman | 2020-12-01 | Action | Sector D2 |
 | Rise Of Flight Channel Battles Edition | 2015-06-02 | Simulation | 777 Studios |
 | Il 2 Sturmovik Battle Of Stalingrad | 2014-10-22 | Simulation | 1C Game Studios |
 | Dcs Mig 21bis | 2014-10-02 | Adventure | Magnitude 3 LLC |
 | Dcs L 39 Albatros | 2015-10-16 | Simulation | Magnitude 3 LLC |
 | Eurofighter Typhoon | 2001-07-30 | Action & Shooter | Rage Software |
 | Falcon 4.0 | 1998-01-01 | Simulation | MicroProse |
 | Enemy Engaged Comanche Vs Hokum | 1998-04-22 | Simulation | NovaLogic |
 | B 17 Flying Fortress The Mighty 8th | 2000-12-13 | Simulation | Wayward Design |
F-22 Total Air War
| Release date: | 1998-12-31 |
| Genre: | Simulator |
| Developer: | Digital Image Design |
This PC flight simulator of the 90s features a highly authentic war campaign over the Red Sea, allowing players to fly one of the most legendary stealth aircraft in aviation history, the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor.
Fly one of the stealthiest fighters in history to participate in ten fictional military conflicts involving Russia, the USA, and China. Due to the unpredictable AI of the enemy forces, each mission feels unique, so this game is perfect for all enthusiasts of top military flight sims featuring high replayability.
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Eurofighter 2000
| Release date: | 2001-07-30 |
| Genre: | Action & Shooter |
| Developer: | Rage Software |
One of the most classic military aircraft simulation games takes its players to northern Scandinavia to confront them with Russian forces – solo or in multiplayer!
Choose from several game modes and take control of the EF2000 fighter to complete a series of randomly generated missions against Russian forces. This recommendation features easy-to-learn but hard-to-master mechanics, so prepare for a generous dose of realistic aircraft combat in the most challenging conditions.
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Falcon 4.0
| Release date: | 1998-01-01 |
| Genre: | Simulation |
| Developer: | MicroProse |
Developed with actual F-16 pilots’ help, Falcon 4.0 offers an incredibly high level of realism enriched with accurate parameters of aircraft and weapons.
When enemy forces cross the DMZ, it’s time to strike back. This game is perfect if you crave the highest level of authenticity, accurate flight physics, and recognizable vehicle silhouettes. We recommend playing it with a joystick!
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Digital Combat Simulator World
| Release date: | 2018-03-18 |
| Genre: | Simulator |
| Developer: | Magnitude 3 LLC |
Play free content and fight in the skies of the Caucasus, or enhance your experience with extra modules to try out even more exciting maps and vehicles in one of the best combat flight simulators ever.
DCS World offers dynamic weather and seasons, a fast mission generator, advanced AI, an extensive campaign editor, and more. This unbelievably beautiful game lets you fly the best aircraft models like the Su-25T Frogfoot, P-51D Mustang, A-10A Warthog, or F-15C Eagle.
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IL-2 Sturmovik: Battle of Normandy
| Release date: | 2022-09-29 |
| Genre: | Simulator |
| Developer: | 1C Game Studios |
Since aviation played a significant role in the Battle of Normandy, you can expect a heavy emphasis on a realistic experience when enjoying this game.
Play the story campaign, multiplayer, or career mode to fly historically accurate WWII aircraft, including the P-47D-22 Razorback, Fw-190A-6, MA 410 A-1 Hornisse, and more. It’s a must-play if you enjoy this particular operation and seek endless replayability.
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DCS: Mi-24P HIND
| Release date: | 2021-05-31 |
| Genre: | Simulator |
| Developer: | Eagle Dynamics SA |
Prefer helicopters? Be sure to try out this legendary Mi-24 attack helicopter simulation!
Whether you want to play solo (in the charming company of AI-controlled Petrovich) or multiplayer, DCS: Mi-24P HIND offers the most realistic experience possible. With clickable cockpits, a fully modeled weapons system, air-to-air missiles, and more included!
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MiG Alley
| Release date: | 1999-11-30 |
| Genre: | Simulator |
| Developer: | Rowan Software |
Take part in the fiercest aerial conflict of the Korean War to fly early jet aircraft equipped with 1950s gear.
Pick from aircraft legends like the North American F8-6 Sabre, Republic F-84 E ThunderJet, F-82 Twin Mustang, and more to play one of the best combat flight simulators that introduced dynamic gameplay. It’s a golden classic, but it’s definitely worth a try!
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Comanche Gold
| Release date: | 1998-04-22 |
| Genre: | Simulator |
| Developer: | NovaLogic |
This improved version of 1997’s Comanche 3 offers nine campaigns, including ten missions each, spread across various locations worldwide.
Comanche Gold is a classic Boeing-Sikorsky RAH-66 helicopter simulator. Featuring realistic weather effects, a mission editor, and a multitude of operations, it’s a must-play for any flight simulator enthusiast. Play it if you are looking for non-stop action!
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Enemy Engaged: RAH-66 Comanche vs. KA-52 Hokum
| Release date: | 1999-03-26 |
| Genre: | Simulation |
| Developer: | Razorworks |
Fly the American RAH-66 Comanche or the Russian Ka-52 Hokum to complete challenging missions spread across different countries – each machine requires a unique approach!
Enemy Engaged is a combat flight simulator focusing on warfare involving the most legendary helicopters. Its exceptionally intelligent enemy AI and fantastic sound design make it unique on this list. It’s ideal if you are looking for an adrenaline-fueled aerial combat experience.
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B-17 Flying Fortress: The Mighty 8th Redux
| Release date: | 2000-12-13 |
| Genre: | Simulation |
| Developer: | Wayward Design |
This remastered version of the 2000 flight simulator takes players back to the turbulent times of World War II to grant them the rare opportunity to fly one of the most powerful aircraft of the period – the Boeing B-17 bomber.
Play as any member of a 10-man bomber team to destroy ground targets and complete tasks. Every action shapes the course of historical events! Plus, you can try yourself in flying German planes to destroy the titular bomber before its crew completes the mission.
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Lock-On: Modern Air Combat
| Release date: | 2003-11-20 |
| Genre: | Action |
| Developer: | Eagle Dynamics |
Fly beautifully detailed aircraft, each requiring different skills and a unique approach. This game is excellent for both experienced and novice players!
Take part in a fictional conflict on the Crimean Peninsula and the Eastern Caucasus to enjoy 36 engaging missions involving a selection of playable aircraft: Su-25, Su-27, Su-33, Mig-29A, Mig-29C, F-15C, and A-10A. Each presents its own advantages and weaknesses – but the adjustable difficulty level makes them fun to operate regardless of the player’s skills.
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Flanker 2.5
| Release date: | 2001-03-27 |
| Genre: | Simulator |
| Developer: | Strategic Simulations Inc |
This updated version of Flanker 2.0 adds a lot of brand-new content, enriching the gameplay with new aircraft models, improved effects, and modified AI.
Fly the SU-27, SU-33, and MiG-29K attack planes to destroy enemy forces in spectacular battles against the naval fleet. The game includes training missions, three new scenarios, spectacular explosion animations, and authentic aircraft behavior. It’s perfect for casual enjoyment for one or more players.
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Conclusion
Not everyone has a pilot license, so the opportunity to fly in the digital space is a real blessing for aircraft enthusiasts. Also, there would be no recreational flying without the development of military aviation – that knowledge makes the best combat flight simulators so fascinating and engaging. It’s as if the myth of Daedalus and Icarus reached a new level of fulfillment, making the dream of flying accessible to everyone, everywhere.