Recording a Titan
When Microsoft and Miltech Simulations decided to bring the C‑17 Globemaster III to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024, they wanted the soundscape to feel every bit as epic as the aircraft. That’s where we came in.
Recording the C‑17 Globemaster III with the 167th Airlift Wing
The Assignment
Capture the unique sounds of the U.S. Air Force’s primary heavy‑lift transport so that sim pilots could feel the immense power and might of this incredible machine; hear the vast array of electrical and hydraulic systems, and the roar of four F117 turbofan engines.
The job would take us to Martinsburg, West Virginia, where the 167th Airlift Wing operates real‑world C‑17s and provides mission‑ready Airmen for rapid global mobility
(photo courteousy of DVIDS/DOD)
Mission‑Ready Partners
The 167th Airlift Wing is part of the West Virginia Air National Guard and calls Shepherd Field Air National Guard Base home. Their mission is succinct but powerful: “provide mission ready citizen Airmen for rapid global mobility to support and defend the nation and state” 167aw.ang.af.mil. The unit flies C‑17 Globemaster III aircraft and routinely delivers people and equipment to locations around the globe.
Shepherd Field’s runway sits amid the rolling hills of the Shenandoah Valley, and the unit’s Airmen carry the weight of global operations on their shoulders. They were very gracious hosts, taking time from their busy training schedule to let us explore their aircraft, point microphones at the engines and hydraulics, and ask endless questions about “oh, what kind of sound does this make?” It was an incredible experience, one that we will soon not forget.
Capturing the Sound of a Titan
The C‑17 Globemaster III is the most flexible cargo aircraft in the U.S. arsenal; it can haul troops or outsized cargo to major bases or rough forward airstrips. A single aircraft can carry a 69‑ton M1 Abrams tank yet still take off and land on runways as short as 3, 500 feet. Powered by four Pratt & Whitney F117‑PW‑100 turbofans, each producing over 40,000 lb of thrust, the C‑17 can climb steeply and even reverse itself using thrust reversers.
For audio, these performance features presented both opportunities and challenges. We placed microphones at multiple locations; behind the nozzles to capture the raw exhaust roar, multiple microphones in front and next to the engines for the chest-tearing roar at high thrust settings, and inside the cargo bay to catch the metallic resonance of the ramp and hydraulic actuators. During engine start we recorded the APU spin‑up, followed by the characteristic spool whine of the F117s as fuel ignites and the giant blades reach idle speed.
Inside the cockpit we captured the hum of avionics, the squeak of the yoke, the specific dials and switches, circuit breakers and were even able to record a full suite of warning sounds straight from the flight deck speaker - adding to the level of authenticity and immersion that each warning sound provides.
From Flightline to Flight Sim
Of course, recording is only half the job. Back in the studio we built a complete Wwise sound package for Miltech’s C‑17. The goal was to mirror the aircraft’s dynamic behavior. In real life the C‑17 can haul up to 170,900 lb of cargo, and the weight distribution changes how it handles. Miltech integrated a dynamic center‑of‑gravity management system and custom loadmaster station so sim pilots can load Humvees, fuselage segments and other heavy equipment and feel the difference. Our soundset reacts accordingly—massive payloads mean deeper groans from the airframe and a longer takeoff roll; empty flights sound lighter and more responsive.
Miltech’s simulation also features a full walk‑through interior, including the crew rest area, galley and lavatory. We recorded ambient room tones for each space and used ambisonic recordings to provide true 3D audio. In the cockpit, Miltech modeled custom avionics and a hybrid flight management system, while their fly‑by‑wire implementation allows manual overrides similar to the real aircraft. Our soundset ties into these systems: pressing the cargo door switch triggers the real‑world hydraulic hiss we captured; toggling each of the various electrical systems create their own unique and authentic sounds; performing a tactical descent plays the rush of wind as the big bird dives towards the landing zone.
Lighting and visual effects were also a focus—Miltech modeled cargo bay flood lights and night‑vision compatible lighting. To complement this, we created subtle switch clicks and dimmer sounds so that manipulating cockpit lighting feels tactile.
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
It would have been impossible to create such an authentic experience without the 167th Airlift Wing’s cooperation. Their Airmen gave us access to their busy aircraft and answered questions (that they were allowed to answer) about procedures and sounds that only experienced crew members could answer. We hope that our work honors their commitment to global mobility and provides sim pilots a glimpse into the world of heavy airlift.
We can’t wait for you to fly the C‑17 Globemaster III in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 and experience the rich, dynamic soundscape born on the ramp at Shepherd Field. You experience it all yourself virtually today through the in-game marketplace, or by picking up the Premium Deluxe version, and when you fire up those four engines in the sim, take a moment to appreciate the real‑world Airmen who make it all possible.
Here is an in-game look at the C-17 with a unique 167th paint that was created to honor the unit.