Does Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 have military aircraft?
See which Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 military aircraft are included, how editions differ, and why the simulator has no weapons or combat.
Yes. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 includes flyable military aircraft, with headline examples such as the F/A-18E Super Hornet, A-10 Thunderbolt II and Airbus A400M Atlas; the exact selection depends on edition and entitlements. They are simulated as aircraft, however, not as armed combat platforms with functional weapons.
Which military aircraft are included in MSFS 2024?
The standard MSFS 2024 line-up already contains fighter, close-air-support and military transport aircraft, while one major airlifter is reserved for higher editions.
| Aircraft | Military role | MSFS 2024 availability |
|---|---|---|
| F/A-18E Super Hornet | Carrier-based multirole fighter | Standard and higher editions |
| Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II | Close-air-support jet | Standard and higher editions |
| Airbus A400M Atlas | Military transport | Standard and higher editions |
| Boeing C-17 Globemaster III | Strategic airlifter | Premium Deluxe and Aviator editions |
These are the clearest built-in military choices rather than every aircraft with a military connection. Our breakdown of flyable jets in Microsoft Flight Simulator covers the jet selection, while the edition-by-edition MSFS 2024 aircraft roster helps identify what comes with each package.
Your library may contain additional military types through the Aviator Edition, compatible purchases carried across from MSFS 2020 or separately installed add-ons. Included aircraft also vary in systems depth; inclusion does not mean that every radar mode, mission computer or military system has been reproduced.
Does MSFS 2024 have combat or working weapons?
No. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 does not provide native air combat, working weapons, hostile targets or a military damage model.
- Weapons: missiles, bombs and gun pods may be visually modelled, but the stock simulator does not let you employ them as functional weapons.
- Combat systems: cockpit switches or displays may be represented, but that does not create a complete targeting and weapons simulation.
- Damage: there is no combat-oriented damage engine for shooting down aircraft or destroying ground targets.
- Carrier operations: compatible aircraft and carrier content may support deck operations, catapults or arresting gear. That capability is separate from combat.
A mistake we see constantly is assuming that visible missiles mean an aircraft is combat-capable. In MSFS, external stores are usually cosmetic; some add-ons provide animations or visual effects, but they do not turn the core simulator into a combat simulator.
Do I need an add-on to fly military aircraft?
No add-on is required for the F/A-18E, A-10 or A400M when your edition includes them, but add-ons are needed for military types outside the supplied fleet or for a different level of cockpit fidelity.
- Choose an included aircraft when you want simple installation, automatic entitlement management and predictable platform support.
- Choose a third-party add-on when you need a specific fighter, bomber, trainer or transport that Microsoft does not supply.
- Check for explicit MSFS 2024 compatibility. An aircraft advertised only for MSFS 2020 may load incorrectly, lose systems or fail to appear.
Before buying or installing anything, use our guidance on selecting compatible MSFS 2024 add-on aircraft to understand platform restrictions and compatibility claims.
Can you add military aircraft on PC, Xbox and PS5?
Military add-ons are possible on every MSFS 2024 platform, but installation choices are broader on PC.
- PC: supports aircraft obtained through the in-sim catalogue and compatible external packages installed through the Community folder.
- Xbox Series X|S: aircraft must be available through the simulator's supported in-sim catalogue; PC Community-folder packages cannot be installed.
- PS5 and PS5 Pro: add-ons likewise need platform-supported in-sim distribution, and the available catalogue may differ from PC or Xbox.
Why is a military aircraft missing from My Library?
A missing aircraft is usually caused by the wrong edition, account entitlement, content filter or an incompatible add-on rather than a flight-setting problem.
- Confirm the edition: check that the aircraft is included with the MSFS 2024 package you own. The C-17, for example, is not part of the Standard Edition.
- Check the owning account: start the simulator with the account that owns the edition or aircraft entitlement.
- Inspect library filters: clear filters that may hide uninstalled, unavailable or disabled content.
- Verify compatibility: for an add-on, confirm that its developer identifies it as compatible with MSFS 2024 and your platform.
- Update and restart: install pending simulator and content updates, then restart so licences and streamed content can refresh.