Jane’s USAF

Jane's USAF is a 1999 combat flight simulator developed by Jane's Combat Simulations (Pixel Multimedia) and published by Electronic Arts. It puts players in the cockpit of eight iconic United States Air Force aircraft spanning the Vietnam-era F-105 Thunderchief to the near-future F-22 Raptor, with a bonus flyable MiG-29 Fulcrum. The game blends simulation depth with arcade accessibility, featuring adjustable realism settings that let casual players ease into the experience while still offering enough challenge for intermediate simmers.

USAF includes four semi-dynamic campaigns (Vietnam, Gulf War, and two fictional European/continental USA scenarios), seven standalone missions, a quick mission generator, and a full mission editor. A pilot career system tracks performance, awarding promotions and medals. The 300-page spiral-bound manual, complete with reference card, became a benchmark for boxed-game documentation. Multiplayer dogfights and cooperative play are supported via Jane's Combat.net, though performance required a solid internet connection at the time.

Graphically, the game demands a 3D accelerator and scales up to 1600×1200 resolution in 32-bit color. A joystick is strongly recommended. With extensive customisation options and a focus on approachable flight combat, Jane's USAF aimed to bridge the gap between hardcore simulators and arcade shooters.