Every Video Game Where You Can Fly or See a C-17

Whether you want to fly a C-17 yourself or just see one in action, several video games feature the Globemaster III. Here’s where to find it.

Flight Simulators

Microsoft Flight Simulator (2020/2024)

The best way to fly a C-17 on PC or Xbox. Third-party developers have created detailed C-17 addons with realistic cockpits, flight models, and cargo loading. The Delta Simulations C-17 is the most popular option, featuring:

• Fully functional glass cockpit
• Realistic flight dynamics including externally blown flaps
• Multiple military liveries
• Interior cargo hold modeling

X-Plane 12

Several freeware and payware C-17 models exist for X-Plane. The platform’s detailed flight modeling makes it popular with serious aviation enthusiasts.

DCS World

While DCS doesn’t have an official C-17 module, modders have created flyable versions. DCS’s military focus makes the C-17 a natural fit for tactical airlift missions.

Prepar3D

This professional-grade simulator has multiple C-17 addons available, often used for military and commercial training applications.

Military Combat Games

Call of Duty Series

Multiple Call of Duty titles feature C-17s in campaign missions and cutscenes. You’ll often see them during insertion sequences or in background scenery at military installations. Modern Warfare titles are particularly likely to include Globemaster appearances.

Arma 3

The military simulation game includes C-17-style heavy lift aircraft. The game’s modding community has created detailed C-17 mods with full cargo loading capability and realistic paratroop operations.

Battlefield Series

Several Battlefield games feature large transport aircraft based on the C-17 design. They appear in multiplayer maps and single-player campaigns.

Ghost Recon Series

Ubisoft’s tactical shooter franchise regularly features C-17s in mission briefings, insertion sequences, and extraction scenes.

Console Options

Xbox players can access the C-17 through Microsoft Flight Simulator with compatible third-party addons. PlayStation doesn’t currently have a dedicated C-17 flight simulator, but military games like Call of Duty feature the aircraft.

Best C-17 Gaming Experience

For the most realistic C-17 experience:

1. Best overall: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 with Delta Simulations C-17
2. Best free option: X-Plane with freeware C-17 mods
3. Best tactical gameplay: Arma 3 with C-17 mods for full military operations
4. Best casual: Call of Duty campaigns for cinematic C-17 moments

Whether you want to master the challenging approach to a dirt strip in Afghanistan or just see a Globemaster in action during a military campaign, there’s a game for you.