KwikFlight Archangel for Microsoft Flight Simulator Coming Soon!

[KwikFlight Admin]

Introducing the KwikFlight Archangel! - An American marvel, displaying ambition, secrecy and raw performance. Developed at the height of the Cold War, this high-altitude, long-range, supersonic strategic reconnaissance aircraft was engineered for some of the most demanding missions ever assigned to an aircraft, diving deep into hostile airspace to gather intelligence where no other aircraft could survive.

To make this possible, engineers were forced into completely uncharted territory. New manufacturing techniques had to be invented, specialized tooling developed, and exotic materials used at scale. The result was an aircraft unlike anything that had come before. Its sleek, long fuselage, distinctive blended delta wing with prominent leading-edge chines, and recessed cockpit gave the Archangel a silhouette that was both purposeful and unmistakable.

Powering this machine were twin engine nacelles housing revolutionary afterburning “turboramjets”, each capable of producing up to 32,000 lbs of thrust. At lower speeds, these engines behaved like conventional turbojets, but as the aircraft accelerated, they transitioned toward ramjet-like performance, enabling sustained cruise at speeds exceeding Mach 3.2.

The airframe itself relied heavily on titanium construction, allowing it to withstand the extreme thermal loads generated during prolonged high-Mach flight, temperatures that would melt or deform conventional alloys. Coated in a black ferrite-based paint designed to radiate heat and reduce radar visibility, the Archangel stood at the intersection of materials science, aerodynamics, and propulsion innovation.

After years of deeply classified development, the prototype first flew in late 1964, entering operational service in early 1966. What followed was a record-breaking career defined not by dogfighting or aerobatics, but by altitude, endurance, and speed, an aircraft built to outrun threats rather than evade them.

We’re thrilled to bring this legendary machine into Microsoft Flight Simulator with an careful focus on authenticity & detail.

Systems & Flight Model
Our objective is not simply to recreate the Archangel’s raw speed, but to represent its entire extreme flight envelope and the systems that make it possible. Flying this aircraft is about understanding its performance limits, managing energy, and respecting the unique characteristics that come with sustained high-Mach flight.

The flight model features carefully engineered high-speed aerodynamics that support Mach 3+ intercontinental cruise, allowing the aircraft to behave correctly across its intended operating regime. The propulsion system includes a full simulation of the Archangel’s unique afterburner stages, capturing how thrust is built and managed as speed increases.

Engine starts and re-lights are driven by authentic TEB (Triethylborane) ignition logic, complete with the distinctive green-flash burner lighting that defined the real aircraft. Together, these elements ensure the Archangel feels purposeful, demanding, and true to its design, rewarding smooth, deliberate flying at the edge of what’s possible.

Autopilot
The Archangel features a reconstruction of its period-correct Automatic Flight Control System, built to support the demands of long-range, high-altitude flight where stability and precision are essential. Rather than a modern, hands-off autopilot, this system reflects the tools available at the time, helping manage the aircraft across its extreme operating envelope.

The system includes pitch control, Mach and speed hold, as well as roll and heading modes to maintain steady, predictable flight during long cruise segments. An auto-navigation mode assists with route tracking, while the fully functional Flight Director provides clear guidance for precise control, particularly during high-altitude cruise and descent. Together, these features allow you to focus on managing the aircraft and mission without removing the need for pilot involvement.

Navigation
To ensure an efficient navigation experience across all phases of flight, the Archangel is equipped with authentic navigation systems that reflect the techniques used during its operational era. High-speed, high-altitude missions demanded precise navigation over vast distances, often with limited opportunities for course correction, making reliable radio-based navigation essential.

To support this style of operation in the simulator, we’ve implemented TACAN & VOR, allowing you to plan, execute, and recover from long-range missions with confidence. These systems provide the tools needed to navigate accurately from departure through cruise and back to recovery, even after extended high-altitude flights, staying true to the way the aircraft was flown while remaining practical and accessible in the sim.

Exterior Features & Ground Operations
True to the real aircraft’s operational reality, the Archangel relies extensively on ground crews and specialized equipment. These elements have been implemented to ensure an immersive experience that captures every phase of operation, from initial startup to shutdown.

• Walk-up crew ladder for cockpit access
• Dedicated external power cart
• Twin engine start carts, faithfully reproducing the aircraft’s lack of onboard starters and its unique engine start sequence

Recovering safely from extreme speed and altitude requires equally specialized equipment, which is why the Archangel features a fully animated fabric drogue chute with realistic deployment behaviour, authentic deceleration effects, and a meaningful influence on landing roll. True to the real aircraft, the drag chute is limited to a single use per sortie, reinforcing proper planning and procedural accuracy during recovery.

To ensure an immersive experience, we’ve included various effects such as sonic booms, high-altitude vapour trails, and fuel venting visuals, bringing the Archangel’s extreme flight to life in a way that feels truly authentic.

Cockpit & Interior Environment
To enhance immersion during night operations and high-altitude flight, the Archangel features custom, period-accurate cockpit lighting. Pilots can also use adjustable panel torches to illuminate instruments for detailed work, ensuring every gauge and control is clearly visible in any lighting condition.

The cockpit is built to feel both tactile and functional. You can deploy the sun visor, adjust mirrors for optimal visibility, and engage the animated throttle detent when powering up the afterburners, bringing a sense of realism to every control and interaction.

Designed to support the Archangel’s reconnaissance role, the aircraft includes a top-down tactical camera, faux infra-red modes in Black Hot and White Hot, and an Electro-Optical (EO) camera simulation for daylight imaging. These systems provide the tools needed to carry out observation and intelligence-gathering missions!

The rear cockpit is fully modeled for the Reconnaissance Systems Officer, complete with mission-focused display screens to monitor and manage surveillance operations. 

Air-to-Air Refuelling (Via Airshow Assistant)
To support long-range and extended missions, the Archangel includes full compatibility with Airshow Assistant air-to-air refuelling features, as well as an optional standalone refuelling simulation. This lets you recreate long-range reconnaissance flights, push the aircraft to its limits, and experiment with new operational scenarios you might not have tried before.

Join up to a KC-135 tanker and practice precision refuelling at altitude, or plan a mission that stretches across continents, these features give you the freedom to explore the Archangel’s full range and enjoy a fresh layer of challenge in your flights.

 

Recreating the Archangel is a challenge worthy of the aircraft itself. Much like the engineers who originally shaped its titanium skin and revolutionary propulsion system, we are pushing into new territory to authentically represent speed, systems, and mystique.

Trailer & Feature Showcase
To round out the introduction to the Archangel, we’ve put together two dedicated videos designed to showcase both the aircraft itself and the experience of flying it.

The official trailer offers a cinematic look at the Archangel in its natural environment, highlighting its distinctive design, extreme performance envelope, and the unique presence it brings to Microsoft Flight Simulator. From high-altitude cruise to landing, it’s a visual marvel!

Alongside the trailer, the Feature Showcase video serves as a more informative piece. This walkthrough explains how to operate the aircraft, and guides you through its key features and systems. It’s designed to help you get comfortable with the jet, understand its unique characteristics!

🎥Trailer

Feature Showcase

Whether you want a quick overview or a deeper understanding before your first flight, these videos are the perfect place to begin.

Thank you for your continued support!

KwikFlight 🚀