Top Mach Studios has released their rendition of the Northrop B-2A Spirit for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
The Northrop B-2A Spirit, commonly known as the B-2 Stealth Bomber, is an American heavy strategic long-range bomber designed and manufactured by Northrop Grumman. It is one of the most advanced and recognisable military aircraft in the world, known for its distinctive flying wing design and stealth capabilities. Developed during the Cold War for the United States Air Force, the B-2 Stealth Bomber has seen combat service in the Kosovo War, the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan. The B-2 has also been deployed in Libya and South Korea.
Top Mach Studios’ rendition of the Northrop B-2A Spirit features a highly detailed 3D exterior model, a custom 3D cockpit, highly detailed texturing, 21 detailed liveries, a custom avionics suite, fully functional MFDs, a custom EFB, a custom autopilot system, custom fly-by-wire system, differential thrust control, an aerial refuelling system, accurate weights, flight model, fuel consumption, precision stable high altitude flight control to 50,000ft and above, crew alert systems, radar systems, weapon payload options, a highly immersive sound pack from the real aircraft and much more.
The extensive list of features can be found below.
You can purchase the Top Mach Studios Northrop B-2A Stealth Bomber from the Microsoft Flight Simulator Marketplace for $39.99.
The B-2A Spirit manual can be found via the Top Mach Studios website here.
Features
Model Features and Capabilities
- Custom Programmed Simulated Fly-By-Wire control system for virtually carefree flight control
- Penetration Mode with Differential Thrust Control
- Auto-trim / pitch control
- G-Limiter
- Roll rate limiter
- Bank Limiter
- Pitch Angle Limiter
- Yaw limiter and Yaw Damping
- Highly resistant to departure from controlled flight throughout the flight envelope.
- Precision, stable high-altitude flight control to 50,000 feet and above.
- Realistic control response and “feel” throughout the flight envelope
- “Poor man’s” terrain the following system utilising radar altimeter-controlled altitude hold
Highly detailed fully custom 3D cockpit modeling and avionics suite with:
- Highly detailed modelling and texturing of the cockpit, rear cabin, crew entry area, all control panels, and interior detailing developed with careful attention to real-world reference photographs.
- Custom “Electronic Flight Bag” tablet to manage sim configuration, weapons display, and moving map display configurations.
- Detailed ACES II ejection seat models
- Fully Functional MFDs (using fully customized instrumentation suite) including critical aircraft information displays, FLIR simulation, crew alerting system alerts, customized tactical top-down radar type display, fuel management, electrical system status, etc…
- Robust crew alerting system messages system alerting on a variety of information, caution, and warning messages and associated sound effects including b****ing Betty/Brian alerts with acknowledge / mute functions on glare shield master warning, caution, and fire alerts panel.
- FLIR (forward-looking infra-red) simulation using synthetic vision display with instrument overlays for night and low visibility flying
- Highly functional and customized Flight Management Computer (MCDU) module with many features and functions for flight planning, instrument flight, navigation, and communication.
- Center Information Display unit with backup instrumentation, detailed custom-programmed moving map display, large format Crew Alerting System alerts
- Interactive Checklist System in Center Information Display that mirrors the detailed checklists found in this document.
- Canopy interior reflections and rain effects
- All buttons, knobs, and switches in the cockpit are animated and many are functional or emulate system functionality and drive crew alerting system messages.
- Full suite of essential autopilot and navigation controls.
- Detailed overhead panel with APU controls, engine management controls, lighting systems, and other details modelled as closely as the information we’ve gathered will allow.
- Full cockpit lighting system including night lighting and individual lighting controls modelled as closely to the real aircraft as possible.
- Numerous additional customized screens and gauges with realistic USAF-style CAS messages and an automated alerting system.
- Aerial refuelling (refuelling while airborne) using an aerial refuelling port switch when the aircraft is flown within certain flight parameters.
- Animated pilot figurines with optional display positions including “self” view and co-pilot (mission commander) displayable in different poses.
- Rear Cabin details and “Easter Eggs” to explore.
Detailed Custom 3D Exterior Model
- Highly detailed 3D exterior model.
- 21 detailed liveries representing all current and former B-2As in service.
- Detailed custom texturing of all main surfaces, weapon bays, wheel bays, and other surface and interior areas of the aircraft body.
- High-detail landing gear, crew boarding, and weapon bay areas
- Animation of all key flight control surfaces with complex customized animation controls representing the B-2’s complex flight control system.
- Detailed and fully animated landing gear and extension/retraction sequence.
- Animated and detailed crew entry tunnel and boarding ladder area
- Weapon bays modelled with cockpit-controlled door animations
- Optional store configuration is available to simulate loading and placement of 8 x GBU-31 2000 lb bombs and 8 x AGM-158 JASSM missiles (Available for PC customers with optional free weapons display update download).
- Custom dynamic visual effects including wing vapour effects, APU start and run effects, engine heat and smoke plumes, and others.
- Cold and dark visual modelling features (pilots displayed or hidden, removed before flight tags, etc…) that are user-controlled by the EFB.
- Detailed and realistically modelled ground equipment for optional display from the EFB including scaffolds, air start carts, ground power unit, munitions cart, munitions loader, fire extinguisher, and more.
- Animated air-to-air refuelling slipway (cockpit switch controlled) with multiple custom accurately placed lighting objects and effects
- Pilot figures in pilot and co-pilot positions (can be optionally displayed when the aircraft is cold/dark).
- Full exterior Lighting Systems include custom landing and taxi lighting, navigation lights, and beacons; all modeled after the actual aircraft, with correct lighting positions and transparencies.
- Multiple custom cameras in the cockpit and exterior views
Sound Pack from Echo19 Audio
- Highly realistic sound suite for exterior sounds based on B-2 and F118/F110 engine sounds, tuned with exacting attention to real-world B-2 exterior sound-scape.
- 3D Fly-By sound experience for fly-overs and exterior fly-bys. Experience the thundering sound experience of four huge military turbofan engines.
- Highly immersive interior sounds replicating sounds for all major systems and sub-systems and customer interactions within the cockpit environment
- Aural voice alerts and tones for a wide variety of Crew Alerting System alerts
- Wind and drag induced ambient and reactive sound effects for landing gear, weapon bay doors, speed brakes, high-speed wind blast, and others.
Engine and Performance Modeling based on General Electric, Northrop Grumman, USAF, and other analyst estimated specifications
- Accurate weight and fuel quantities.
- Advanced fuel system employed including APU fuel burn, fuel dump, and aerial refuelling emulation.
- Engine model tuned to realistic specifications for realistic thrust/weight ratio and performance across the flight envelope.
- Modeled fuel consumption in line with real-world specifications at low and high altitudes. Range profile matches real-world stated range estimates.
- Accurate fuel consumption and maximum range at all altitudes (not based on the default game turbine model, but customized to improve the accuracy of turbine fuel consumption and thrust).
- Drag and lift model tuned to stated and estimated specifications for the B-2A.
- Mach 0.96+ maximum speed at altitude
- 500 KIAS low altitude terrain following flight possible (within game limits).
- Service ceiling modelled to 50,000+ feet.
