KwikFlight has spent the last couple of years aggressively carving out a niche between generic default aircraft and high-fidelity simulations. Their target? Military aircraft that look the part and carry big sticks, but don’t require a master’s degree to start the engines.
Following their previous releases like the “Hunter” (Apache) and the “Spirit” (B-2), the developer has announced the KwikFlight Striker, a new tandem-seat attack helicopter for MSFS 2024. And if you squint at the silhouette, it’s unmistakable: this is KwikFlight’s take on the legendary Bell AH-1Z Viper.
An “accessible” combat helicopter
Right now we may have high-fidelity developers pushing systems depth to the extreme, but we also have casual players who just want to load up a mission and feel like a combat pilot without battling complex avionics.
KwikFlight is clearly betting on the latter. The “Striker” is pitched explicitly as an “accessible” experience. This matches the strategy used for their “Hunter”: bring a highly requested, complex military airframe into the sim, but strip back the systems complexity to keep it approachable for newcomers.
For the simmer who finds other add-ons intimidating, the Striker offers a tempting alternative: the look and feel of a modern Marine Corps gunship with a learning curve that promises not to “overwhelm you.”
Systems and weaponry
One of the most critical pieces of context for potential buyers is the dependency on external software for the full experience. Much like their Apache, the Striker’s combat capabilities, arguably the main reason to buy an attack helicopter, rely on the iniManager. So, no luck with that if you’re buying from the in-sim Marketplace.
While MSFS 2024 does not natively support combat (in terms of blowing things up), KwikFlight circumvents this by using an external mission manager to spawn dynamic land and sea scenarios. This allows users to engage targets, rearm at Forward Arming and Refuelling Points (FARPs), and track damage.
However, users should manage their expectations regarding system depth. The manual notes that procedures have been “modified” to be more manageable. While there is a simulation of the electrical system (Generators, APU) and a stability augmentation system (SCAS) to help with hovering, this is designed as a “hands-on flying” experience rather than a procedural study sim.
Visuals and handling
Visually, the aircraft leans into the “modern” aesthetic with a glass cockpit featuring two large MFDs per seat and a center Dual Function Display. This matches the digital cockpit upgrade that distinguishes the Zulu “Viper” from its older Cobra ancestors.
KwikFlight also highlights a focus on animations, such as blade folding (a critical feature for naval operations on the real Viper) and gun inspection panels. The flight model is described as having “native Vortex Ring State simulation,” but it also includes a “native stability augmentation system” that allows for “true hands-off hovering,” suggesting a very stable flight profile suitable for players using gamepads.
No pricing or release date has been confirmed yet, but the developer has released a trailer showcasing the aircraft in action. It looks undeniably fun, we have to give them that. Stay on the lookout for the release, which shouldn’t take long!
