Jane’s Combat Simulations: USNF’97 – U.S. Navy Fighters is an aerial combat simulator for Windows published by Electronic Arts in 1996 under the Jane’s Combat Simulations label. This edition combines content from the original *U.S. Navy Fighters* and the *Marine Fighters* expansion, while adding a campaign set in Vietnam. The result blends fictional scenarios with operations inspired by historical conflicts, emphasizing aircraft carrier takeoffs and combat missions.
The 1972 Vietnam campaign takes the player over Vietnam and Cambodia on missions such as aircraft escort, bridge strikes, and close air support. The other two campaigns recreate hypothetical crises: a war centered on Ukraine and a dispute over the Kuril Islands. Across all campaigns, players must adapt to varied objectives—ranging from intercepting aircraft to attacking ships or ground installations—and select their aircraft and weaponry before each sortie.
The lineup features fighters and a...
Jane’s Combat Simulations: USNF’97 – U.S. Navy Fighters is an aerial combat simulator for Windows published by Electronic Arts in 1996 under the Jane’s Combat Simulations label. This edition combines content from the original *U.S. Navy Fighters* and the *Marine Fighters* expansion, while adding a campaign set in Vietnam. The result blends fictional scenarios with operations inspired by historical conflicts, emphasizing aircraft carrier takeoffs and combat missions.
The 1972 Vietnam campaign takes the player over Vietnam and Cambodia on missions such as aircraft escort, bridge strikes, and close air support. The other two campaigns recreate hypothetical crises: a war centered on Ukraine and a dispute over the Kuril Islands. Across all campaigns, players must adapt to varied objectives—ranging from intercepting aircraft to attacking ships or ground installations—and select their aircraft and weaponry before each sortie.
The lineup features fighters and aircraft from different eras, such as the F-14 Tomcat, F/A-18 Hornet, A-7 Corsair II, and F-4 Phantom, as well as the Harrier, Sea Harrier, and Yak-141. Each aircraft differs in handling, payload capacity, and systems. Carrier operations offer a distinctive part of the experience: aligning with the catapult, taking off, and returning to the deck require careful attention, while vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft allow for different maneuvering techniques.
For those who prefer to play without following a campaign, the game offers single missions, quick scenarios, and a comprehensive mission builder that allows players to adjust conditions and choose between different theaters of operation. Players can also review pilot performance and consult a reference guide containing information, images, and videos regarding the aircraft and weaponry. Multiplayer options allow for competition or cooperation via network or modem connections—a notable feature for a simulator of its era.
It strikes a balance between action and simulation: flight models offer distinct differences between aircraft, yet the gameplay remains accessible, allowing players to quickly jump into combat. With its campaigns, mission variety, and carrier-based takeoffs, USNF’97 offers a broad overview of combat aviation, ranging from close-quarters Vietnam-era engagements to fictional late-20th-century scenarios.
