Compare fighter jet mods for MSFS 2020 and 2024, including F-22, F-35, F-14, F-16 and Rafale options, compatibility checks and install limits.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024 have fighter jet mods covering the F-22, F-35, F-14, F-15, F-16, Eurofighter Typhoon and Rafale, plus enhancements for the stock F/A-18E. They range from free Community-folder aircraft to paid Marketplace products, but MSFS 2024 compatibility must be checked per add-on.
Which fighter jet mods can you get?
The main choices include modern stealth fighters, carrier aircraft, multirole jets and older Cold War designs. This is not an exhaustive catalogue, but it covers the aircraft families most MSFS pilots search for.
| Aircraft | Commonly available options | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| F-22A Raptor | Top Mach Studios payware and several freeware community projects | Free versions vary sharply in cockpit, HUD and flight-model quality. |
| F-35 Lightning II | IndiaFoxtEcho payware | Use a build explicitly listed for your simulator version. |
| F-14 Tomcat | DC Designs and the Heatblur/IndiaFoxtEcho collaboration | The packages differ in systems depth, performance and platform availability. |
| F-15 Eagle | DC Designs payware packages | Check which variants are included and whether an MSFS 2024 update is supplied. |
| F-16 Fighting Falcon | SC Designs payware packages | Marketplace and PC availability can differ. |
| Eurofighter Typhoon | CJ Simulations payware | Confirm the product listing names MSFS 2024 rather than assuming 2020 compatibility carries over. |
| Rafale and F/A-18 enhancements | Freeware aircraft, liveries, sound packs and improvement packages | Some F/A-18 packages require the official aircraft and are not complete standalone jets. |
Other releases cover aircraft such as the F-4 Phantom, F-104 Starfighter, MiG designs and military trainers including the MB-339 and Hawk. For zero-cost aircraft, our shortlist of free Rafale, F/A-18 and F-22 options narrows the field. Pilots considering paid aircraft can also compare established F-35 and F-14 add-ons for MSFS 2024.
A mistake we see constantly is choosing by exterior screenshots alone. Look for cockpit interaction, HUD and avionics coverage, required dependencies, controller support and documentation; a detailed visual model may still use generic instruments or a simplified flight model.
Are the F/A-18E and other official aircraft mods?
The F/A-18E Super Hornet is official Microsoft Flight Simulator content, not a third-party mod. Liveries, sound replacements and improvement packages built around it are mods and normally require the original aircraft.
MSFS 2024 also includes official military aircraft, so separate the base fleet from optional downloads before buying or installing anything. Our breakdown of the military aircraft included with MSFS 2024 explains that distinction.
Will MSFS 2020 fighter mods work in MSFS 2024?
Some MSFS 2020 fighter mods load in MSFS 2024, but compatibility is not guaranteed. Aircraft with custom avionics, compiled modules, effects or unusual cockpit interactions are more likely to need a dedicated update.
- Prefer explicit support: the description or supplied documentation should name Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
- Check dependencies: an enhancement may require a stock aircraft, shared library or another package.
- Watch for partial failures: a jet can appear in the aircraft selector while its displays, sounds, controls or animations remain broken.
- Keep simulator copies separate: do not point MSFS 2020 and 2024 at one shared Community folder unless the add-on developer specifically supports that arrangement.
When diagnosing trouble, start MSFS with an otherwise empty Community folder and test the fighter by itself. Copying an entire MSFS 2020 add-on collection into 2024 at once makes dependency conflicts and obsolete packages much harder to identify.
How do you install fighter jet mods?
On PC, manually downloaded fighter mods normally go in the simulator’s Community folder; Marketplace aircraft are managed through the simulator instead. The exact folder path depends on the simulator, store edition and any custom package location selected during installation.
- Confirm the simulator version. Check that the download supports MSFS 2020, MSFS 2024 or both.
- Extract the archive. Do not place the compressed archive itself in the Community folder.
- Check the folder depth. The active package folder should contain files such as
manifest.jsonandlayout.json; an unnecessary extra wrapper folder can stop detection. - Remove an older release. Delete the previous package before installing an update rather than merging two versions.
- Restart the simulator. Select the aircraft and verify its cockpit displays, control bindings and required dependencies before adding more mods.
| Platform | Available installation methods |
|---|---|
| PC, MSFS 2020 | Community-folder packages and compatible Marketplace content |
| PC, MSFS 2024 | MSFS 2024-compatible Community packages and Marketplace content |
| Xbox Series X|S | Marketplace content only; external Community-folder mods cannot be sideloaded |
| PS5 and PS5 Pro | MSFS 2024 Marketplace content only; MSFS 2020 was never released on PlayStation |
A fighter sold or distributed for PC is not automatically offered on Xbox or PlayStation. Check the product’s platform listing before treating it as available for a console installation.
Do fighter jet mods have working weapons?
Microsoft Flight Simulator does not provide native air-combat missions or a general-purpose weapons and damage system. Fighter add-ons may display missiles, bombs and cannon controls, but these are commonly visual, animated or simulated only within the aircraft’s own limited systems.
Choose these mods for high-speed handling, carrier-style operations, formation flying and military cockpit procedures rather than expecting a combat simulator. Our explanation of what MSFS fighter weapons and combat missions can and cannot do covers those limits in detail.