DC Designs has released a substantial update for the AV-8B Harrier II in Microsoft Flight Simulator, now available at SIMMARKET. The update brings improved multiplayer functionality, more realistic VTOL operations including landings on moving ships, enhanced visual effects like emissive nozzles and reflective cockpit mirrors, and new features such as jettisonable fuel tanks and GBU weapon options. A new VMA-542 livery has also been added. Developer Dean Crawford highlighted the realism of Harrier hover operations, which are fully physics-driven and not aided by artificial slewing—adding to the immersion and challenge for sim pilots.
Just Flight – DC Designs AV-8B Harrier II MSFS – Changelog Update v0.9.0
- Weapons, fuel tanks and effects updated to show across the multiplayer network
- Harriers now able to land on moving aircraft carriers and ships ( stable on deck when N1 RPM is less than 50% )
- Canopy animation updated to work for user only, not other multiplayer aircraft
- Fuel tanks updated to be jettisonable
- Aft nozzles emissive code and textures added to glow at night
- Cockpit mirrors now fully reflective
- Engine exhaust smoke trail refined
- Added GBU weapons to options
- Cockpit camera angles corrected for up, left, right and rear views via hat-switch
- Corrected colour PBR of forward “cold nozzles”
- VMA-542 special colours livery added to AV-8B+
Work is also progressing steadily on DC Designs’ next aircraft, the P-61B Black Widow. This World War II night fighter is being developed with a new virtual cockpit already integrated into the flight model, and preliminary flight testing is underway. The aircraft will feature accurate engine modeling, full systems simulation, and sound design by Sim Acoustics to capture the character of its Double Wasp engines. While the release is still a few months away—anticipated for mid to late summer—screenshots of the cockpit in MSFS have been shared, showcasing progress on the interior design.
Looking ahead, DC Designs plans one final round of updates for their aircraft in MSFS 2020 before transitioning development efforts to MSFS 2024. These final updates will bring various improvements across their existing fleet. Weekly updates will continue as usual, keeping the community informed of the progress. For now, users can enjoy the enhanced Harrier experience, with the latest version available via SIMMARKET.
