Miltech Simulations MH60, Dev Blog #1

Hello Everyone, and welcome to our first-ever Dev Blog! We've been exploring new ways to connect with the community and share a behind-the-scenes look at everything going on (and trust us, there's a lot!). This idea seemed to gain traction on Discord.

This was initially planned as a video blog, but due to time constraints, we’re going with a text-based format for now. In the future, it might evolve into a mix of text and video—or even something more like a podcast. We’re experimenting with different formats, and have a number of clips recorded.

MH60 Sierra/Romeo/Tango

Well, we're now one at exactly month after the initial announcement of our upcoming MH60 for Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and 2024. I have to say, we’re absolutely thrilled with the community’s response and engagement across Discord, forums, and social media. I promise, this aircraft won't disappoint.

As announced, this package will consist primarily of three variants:

MH60 Sierra, generally used for VERTREPs, Firefighting and Troop Transport. Mainly operated by the US Navy and the Thai Royal Navy
MH60 Romeo, used for ASW, SAR, and transport operations, and operated by several nations around the world
MH60 Tango, operated by the US Coast Guard. Please be aware that the depiction of MH60T will be limited to "external model + cabin only", meaning that it will share the same cockpit and avionics with S and R instead of the CAAS System.
Additionally, four mini-sceneries will be included on the base package:
- CGAS San Diego, for Coast Guard Ops/Missions
- CGAS Kodiak, for Coast Guard Ops/Missions
- Garden Island, Australia, for various MH60 Romeo Operations
- Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, Spain, for patrol of the Strait of Gibraltar, ASW Missions, and other MH60 Romeo Operations.

More details on the Mission System are below.

Our partners at SUNDOWNERSIM are actively working on Naval Air Station Key West and Naval Air Station North Island. Both will be released as separate products, but they’ll make fantastic companion airports for the MH-60.

Blackbird Simulations

As we previously announced, we’re thrilled to be collaborating with Blackbird Simulations on this project! - Some of you may remember their initial announcement of MH60 a couple of years ago. Around FSExpo 2024, we had the opportunity to meet the Blackbird team, which led to this exciting partnership.

Blackbird had already developed an incredible MH-60 3D model—easily one of the best we’ve seen in MSFS—along with a solid start on the avionics suite. We decided to join forces, bringing in all the features we’ve been perfecting over the years, including sling cargo loads, weapon systems, a custom AFCS, advanced avionics, and top-tier sounds in collaboration with Echo 19.

Since then, the partnership has just strengthened - and you may expect more from this joint venture for years to come 😉

Stuck in the Artic

A major milestone was reached in January 2025—seeing the aircraft in person. While Miltech Simulations is legally based in the U.S., our team is primarily European, which has made in-person access to these machines quite challenging. Though these may be displayed at airshows, we're often not allowed to get "close and personal enough" with the aircraft, which is key for ultra-sharp detailing.

By a pure chance of luck—and a bit of geopolitics—part of the Miltech team had the rare opportunity to board an active-duty military frigate and conduct a full survey of an MH60 Romeo, stationed in none other than Nuuk, Greenland. A huge thanks to the amazing folks at the Royal Danish Navy for this rare opportunity. We had the chance to board HDMS Triton and spend a few hours with the aircraft up close—asking all the right questions and capturing all the key details.

What was supposed to be a three-day research trip to the Arctic quickly turned into nearly a week when our entire management team got stranded in Nuuk due to a severe winter storm—with gusts reaching up to 60 knots. To make things even more intense, this happened just days before the release of Miltech Simulations’ M2K, causing a slight shift in the release schedule.

The Systems

This is a very broad topic, and will be covered in detail in a future Dev Blog. But in general:

Nav Systems supporting VOR, TACAN, ADF, Fly-to-Point flightplans (coordinate-based), MSFS-Stock Flightplan (WorldMap/EFB Sync), Search Patterns, and potentially Simbrief Integration (TBD).
Full Autopilot (AFCS) System modeled, including RAD ALT and BARO ALT modes, Speed Hold/Attitude Hold mode, HOVER Mode, CREW HOVER Mode, and DEPART Mode./
Simulated SAS Failure/Disconnect, resulting in a significant change of handling characteristics of the aircraft.
Simulated Keyset, found on Block 1 versions of the aircraft.
Comprehensive Avionics Suite.
Weapons System, including Hellfire and Torpedo deployment, Sonobuoys and Countermeasures.

Remember: these screenshots are still WIP Alpha shots.

The Missions

This is also a broad topic, and will be covered in detail in a future Dev Blog. You may expect the following on initial release:

New, revolutionary mission system, fully compatible with PC and Xbox.
Create your own missions, anytime, anywhere.
Over 30 missions total, some fictional and others inspired by real-life events.
Generate random missions (Firefighting, SAR)
Search and Rescue missions, including audio calls and functional winch.
Antisubmarine Warfare missions, including locating enemy submarines and intercepting contraband submarines.
VERTREP/Transport Missions, ship-ship, and land-ship
Firefighting missions using Bambi bucket
"Airshow missions" using the external display flag
A number of new vessels included: Cruise Ships, sinking fishing vessels, USCG Cutters, Danish, Spanish and Australian frigates/helicopter-carrying vessels for MH60R Missions.

More details to come.

...when?

We’re now in the "Final Integration Phase," which means our 3D art, liveries, flight model, and programming teams have nearly completed their tasks for this project. At this stage, everything is coming together into one aircraft—think of it as the final assembly line.

Variables must be connected, systems must be tested, and adjustments must be made - but we are not far from the finish line. Documentation is being worked on, and paintkits are being finalized. MH60 Sierra is near complete, with most work now happening on the Romeo and Tango. This is why R and T have not been pictured here, but will be pictured in future dev blogs.

We have an internal deadline of End of March to start with Beta Testing, which likely puts us at a release window in late April. However, dates are subject to change due to unexpected circumstances, and will only be released when we feel it's ready.

You may expect a release of the aircraft for both MSFS20 and MSFS24, for PC, on the same day. We may consider a synced release on PC and Xbox, but this is not a guarantee at this time. Final pricing has not been decided, but its planned in the mid-30s USD.

What about Xbox?

The aircraft is very Xbox-Friendly. Don't be afraid if other helicopters are challenging for you on an Xbox Controller, we can assure its not the case with MH60. Modern helicopters feature an active Stability Augmentation System - which means you can fly it without any pedal input. All controls and systems are fully Controller friendly.

As mentioned above, we cannot guarantee the product will be released on Xbox the same day PC releases. We are working to close this gap as much as possible, but its entirely subject to MS Marketplace processing times.