See the DCS planes list: free Su-25T and TF-51D, full-fidelity jets, Flaming Cliffs aircraft, warbirds, trainers and helicopters.
DCS World’s base game permanently includes two flyable aircraft: the Su-25T Frogfoot and unarmed TF-51D Mustang. Every other official aircraft is a separately licensed paid module or bundle, although eligible modules may have temporary trials. Free community aircraft mods are unofficial add-ons and do not grant ownership of paid DCS modules.
DCS planes list by aircraft type
The official DCS aircraft catalogue covers full-fidelity aeroplanes, simplified Flaming Cliffs aircraft, helicopters, warbirds and trainers. This list covers established flyable aircraft rather than products that have only been announced. Shop availability, bundles, variant naming and Early Access status can change, so confirm the live product description before purchasing.
Free base-game aircraft: what planes come with DCS?
The free DCS World installation includes the Su-25T and TF-51D without a time limit or separate aircraft licence.
| Aircraft | What is included | Cockpit type |
|---|---|---|
| Su-25T Frogfoot | Armed ground-attack aircraft with guided and unguided weapons | Simplified, non-clickable cockpit |
| TF-51D Mustang | Unarmed two-seat trainer derivative of the Mustang | Clickable cockpit with detailed systems |
The paid Su-25 in the Flaming Cliffs range is a different Frogfoot variant. Likewise, the armed P-51D Mustang is a separate paid module rather than an unlock for the free TF-51D.
Full-fidelity DCS jets and combat aircraft
Full-fidelity DCS aircraft use clickable cockpits and substantially model aircraft-specific engines, navigation, radios, sensors and weapons.
| Type | Full-fidelity aircraft |
|---|---|
| Modern combat aircraft | A-10C II Tank Killer; AV-8B N/A; F-15E Strike Eagle; F-16C Viper; F/A-18C Hornet; JF-17 Thunder; MiG-29A Fulcrum |
| Cold War and classic combat aircraft | AJS-37 Viggen; F-4E Phantom II; F-5E Tiger II family; F-14 Tomcat; MiG-19P Farmer; MiG-21bis; Mirage F1 family; M-2000C |
| Early jet fighters | F-86F Sabre; MiG-15bis |
Full fidelity is useful community shorthand, not a promise that every circuit breaker or real-world function is simulated. Depth varies by module, while an Early Access aircraft may still have unfinished systems, weapons, missions or documentation.
Some products contain several variants. The F-14 module covers more than one Tomcat variant, for example, while the Mirage F1 is sold as an aircraft family rather than one exact airframe.
Flaming Cliffs and simplified DCS aircraft
Flaming Cliffs aircraft use simplified system controls and generally lack mouse-operated cockpit switches, making them quicker to learn than full-fidelity modules.
- A-10A
- F-15C
- F-5E FC
- F-86F FC
- MiG-15bis FC
- MiG-29A, MiG-29G and MiG-29S
- Su-25
- Su-27
- Su-33
These aircraft may be offered through a Flaming Cliffs bundle, individual products or both, depending on the storefront. Our breakdown of the Flaming Cliffs aircraft and package differences explains what the simplified range contains.
A mistake we see repeatedly is assuming that aircraft with similar names are interchangeable. The full-fidelity F-5E, F-86F, MiG-15bis and MiG-29A are distinct from their Flaming Cliffs counterparts. Owning one does not provide the other unless the specific product description says it does.
DCS helicopters
DCS helicopter modules use detailed flight and cockpit systems, with each airframe demanding its own approach to trimming, power management and low-speed control.
- AH-64D Apache
- CH-47F Chinook
- Ka-50 Black Shark III
- Mi-8MTV2
- Mi-24P Hind
- OH-58D Kiowa Warrior
- SA342 Gazelle
- UH-1H Huey
Helicopters benefit greatly from precise collective or throttle control and rudder pedals, although their controls can be rebound for other hardware. Check the module’s implemented features and Early Access status rather than assuming every crew station or system is complete.
DCS warbirds
The official paid warbird range covers major Allied and Axis aircraft alongside the free, unarmed TF-51D.
- Bf 109 K-4
- Fw 190 A-8
- Fw 190 D-9
- I-16
- Mosquito FB VI
- P-47D Thunderbolt
- P-51D Mustang
- Spitfire LF Mk IX
Buying a warbird does not automatically include a period terrain, historical campaign or Second World War ground-unit asset pack. Check mission requirements separately, particularly if multiplayer or a particular campaign is the reason for buying.
DCS trainers, aerobatic aircraft and light aircraft
DCS offers several dedicated trainers and lighter aircraft with clickable cockpits and more approachable performance than front-line combat jets.
- C-101 Aviojet
- L-39 Albatros
- MB-339
- Yak-52
- Christen Eagle II
The Christen Eagle II is primarily an aerobatic aircraft rather than a military trainer. The F-86F and MiG-15bis are sometimes grouped with DCS training choices because of their simpler early-jet systems, but both are combat fighters and appear in the full-fidelity list above.
Can you get all DCS planes for free?
No. Only the Su-25T and TF-51D are permanently included with the free base game; the rest of the official DCS aircraft catalogue requires separate licences unless temporary trial or promotional access is offered.
| Access type | Cost and permanence | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Base-game aircraft | Free and permanent | Su-25T and TF-51D remain available with DCS World |
| Paid official module | Separate purchase | Provides a licence for the specified aircraft, variants or bundle |
| Official trial or promotion | Temporarily free when eligible | Access ends under the displayed terms and does not normally confer ownership |
| Community aircraft mod | Often free | Unofficial content with its own installation, dependencies and compatibility limits |
A free weekend, trial or promotional unlock should not be treated as a permanent licence. Campaigns, maps and other add-ons may also remain paid even when the associated aircraft can temporarily be flown.
Which DCS modules have clickable cockpits?
Most official aircraft outside the Flaming Cliffs range have clickable cockpits, including the free TF-51D.
- Full-fidelity modules let the pilot operate many cockpit switches with the mouse and follow aircraft-specific start-up, navigation, sensor and weapon procedures.
- Flaming Cliffs aircraft use keyboard, controller or HOTAS commands for functions that would otherwise be operated through cockpit switches.
- The free Su-25T follows the simplified approach, while the free TF-51D provides a useful introduction to clickable DCS cockpits.
Clickable does not automatically mean complete. Early Access features may still be under development, and even mature modules make practical abstractions where necessary.
How to get and install free DCS aircraft
The Su-25T and TF-51D install automatically with DCS World, while optional trials, paid modules and community mods use different installation methods.
- Choose the installation platform before buying anything. Install DCS World through the standalone distribution or Steam. Your choice affects where optional aircraft licences are purchased and managed.
- Install and launch the base simulator. Allow the main installation and its updates to finish. The Su-25T and TF-51D require no separate purchase, serial number or trial activation.
- Find the included aircraft. They should appear in aircraft selectors such as Instant Action and the Mission Editor. A particular mission list may show only aircraft supported by that mission and terrain, so use another activity or create a basic mission if one appears absent.
- Obtain optional modules through the correct storefront. Purchase or activate an eligible trial using the account and distribution channel associated with the installation. A standalone purchase does not simply become Steam DLC, and only eligible licences can be bound or transferred under the account rules shown for that product.
- Install official modules through the supported manager. With the standalone edition, sign in to the licence-owning account and use the in-simulator Module Manager or installation prompt. For Steam licences, let Steam manage the entitlement and download. Do not install an official module manually as though it were a community mod.
- Check authorisation if an aircraft is missing. Confirm that the module is licensed to the signed-in account, installed through the same platform and authorised after the simulator starts. Run the appropriate updater or file verification process if the files are incomplete. Also make sure the product is flyable rather than an AI-only asset.
Our aircraft purchasing and installation guide covers licence handling and common missing-module problems in more detail.
How do DCS module trials work?
DCS trials provide temporary access to eligible paid modules, but eligibility, duration, repeat-trial rules and participating aircraft can vary.
Use the official account or store interface tied to your installation and read the displayed conditions before activating anything. If no trial control appears for an aircraft, do not assume a trial offered through another distribution channel applies to your installation.
A trial normally lets you evaluate the module rather than own it. Once access expires, the aircraft remains unavailable unless another eligible offer applies or you buy the correct licence. Trial access also does not supply separately required maps, campaigns or assets unless the promotion explicitly includes them.
For the practical checks to make before activating one, see our guide to eligible DCS aircraft trials and their changing conditions.
How do free community aircraft mods compare with official DCS modules?
Community aircraft mods can add free flyable aircraft, but they are not official modules and their quality, installation method and compatibility vary widely.
- Installation: Mods are commonly installed manually under a path such as
Saved Games\DCS...\Mods\aircraft, where the exact Saved Games folder depends on the installation. Follow the mod’s supplied folder structure rather than placing it inside the protected core aircraft files. - Dependencies: Some mods are standalone, while others require a particular official aircraft, asset or script. A dependency on a paid module means that module must still be owned and authorised.
- Cockpit and systems depth: One mod may have a clickable custom cockpit and detailed systems; another may reuse existing avionics, provide a basic external model or rely heavily on keyboard commands.
- Multiplayer: A server may require every participant to install the same mod, disallow it or enforce integrity checks that reject altered core files. A mod working in single-player does not guarantee admission to a multiplayer server.
- Updates: Simulator updates can break community flight models, scripts, cockpits or weapons until the author provides a compatible version.
- Ownership: Installing a mod never grants a licence for the official aircraft it resembles or depends upon.
Our guide to free DCS aircraft mods and their requirements explains how to separate standalone community aircraft from add-ons that need a paid module.
Do DCS aircraft modules include maps, carriers or campaigns?
An aircraft licence usually covers the named aircraft and its supplied mission or training content, not every map, campaign, carrier feature or historical asset associated with it.
- Aircraft can generally be flown on terrain supplied with the core simulator, but separately sold missions and campaigns may require a specific paid map.
- Naval aircraft can use standard carrier functionality, while enhanced deck operations, communications or carrier detail may require separate content.
- Second World War aircraft do not automatically include period maps or historical ground-unit packs.
- Training content varies between modules. A highly detailed aircraft may still have limited instruction for particular weapons or procedures.
How should you choose a DCS aircraft module?
Choose a DCS module by mission, cockpit workload, era and required supporting content rather than by the aircraft’s weapon count alone.
- Pick the type of flying. The A-10C II suits methodical close air support, the F/A-18C combines multirole systems with carrier operations, the F-16C is a fast land-based multirole fighter, and helicopters focus on low-level flying, hovering and crew coordination.
- Choose the systems depth. Flaming Cliffs is the better fit when simplified controls matter most. Full-fidelity aircraft suit pilots who want to learn start-up procedures, sensors, navigation and aircraft-specific weapon employment.
- Check your controls. Modern fighters benefit from a HOTAS with several hats and modifiers. Helicopters place greater demands on precise power and anti-torque inputs. Poor bindings can make a suitable aircraft feel much harder than it is.
- Check all required content. Confirm the aircraft edition, storefront, map requirements and any campaign or asset dependencies before paying.
- Use an eligible trial before buying. A short practical test can reveal awkward controls, performance problems or a cockpit workflow that does not suit how you want to fly.