FAST WALKTHROUGH FOR ACE COMBAT 2 - ver. 1.70a
by ROliveira 05/25/2001
INDEX:
1 - Legal stuff (READ THIS, IT CHANGED!!)
2 - Intro
2.1 - About me
2.2 - History Review
3 - About the game
3.1 - Useless stuff
3.2 - Useful stuff
3.2.1 - The commands
3.2.2 - The briefing
3.2.3 - Instruments
3.2.4 - The radar and the map
3.2.5 - The sight
3.2.6 - Secrets
3.2.7 - Ranking
4 - Aircrafts & ground targets
4.1 - Aircrafts
4.1.1 - Fighters
4.1.2 - Helicopters, cargo, etc.
4.2 - Ground targets
4.2.1 - Air defences
4.2.2 - Ships
4.3 - Targets resistances
4.4 - Legend Pilots
5 - A mini-guide to the victory
6 - Combat Tactics
6.1 - Dogfights
6.2 - Ground Attacks
7 - Aircraft data
8 - Abbreviations
9 - Questions & Answers
10 - Acknowledgements
1 - Legal stuff
Ace Combat 2 and all related stuff are properties of
Namco inc.. Any other trademarks not mentioned here are still
acknowledged. Everything else that isn't of my own will be in
"Acknowledgements".
If you think you have any credits, please e-mail me. I
sincerely apologize for anyone I forgot.
THIS GUIDE IS FREE FOR ALL PURPOSES. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING YOU
WANT WITH IT, EXCEPT FOR MAKING PROFIT - but I don't think you
can make profit with such a scrub guide, anyway. :)
For those Game magazines (coughEGMcough) and Games centers
(coughGameCavecough) who have used stuff from GameFAQs to make money
with them, beware: YOU CANNOT USE ANYTHING FROM THIS FAQ. I did not
spend my time to give you any profit, direct or indirect. Access to
this FAQ must be 100% free: no passwords, charges, conditions, etc.
of any form.
I AM NOT ALLOWING ANY MORE MIRRORING OF MY FAQs for some time.
When it changes, you'll know. THIS MEANS: DO NOT ASK MY PERMISSION
TO POST IT IN YOUR WEBSITE. THE ANSWER IS NO - at least for now.
It can ONLY be found at:
GameFAQs (http://www.gamefaqs.com)
VGStrategies (http://vgstrategies.about.com)
Gamers Domain (http://www.gamersd.com)
PSX Codez (http://www.psxcodez.com)
Absolute PlayStation (http://www.absolute-playstation.com)
CheatStop (http://www.cheatstop.com)
My FAQs are only available for FREE, and only in the above mentioned
sites. If you got'em anyway or anywhere else, e-mail me ASAP!
This is the 2nd released version of the FAQ.
This document is best viewed with WordPad and/or simmilars,
640x480 or greater.
P.S.: I don't know everything. Don't blame ME if anything here
is wrong! If you have any add-ons, suggestions, etc., E-MAIL me at
renatohm99@yahoo.com
2 - Intro
2.1 - About me
I am Brazilian, male, hetero, born 08/19/1979. Please excuse
the errors, my English is very bad.
Ace Combat 2 (AC2) isn't very realistic, but very cool to play.
Unfortunately, it is an easy piece of cake...
I will not write a detailed FAQ on the game for 2 reasons:
1) I don't have a PSX, so I can only play in games centers;
2) This is an old game, so a complete FAQ is needless. But as I like
military airplanes - and games with'em - I decided to write this mini
FAQ. There are also some tactics for dogfights. As dogfights will be
present in the entire game, this should help you a little.
Moreover, the game is so easy that details are needless.
I think this guide is good for beginners, but some good players
might also find something useful. No guarantee though! ;)
Search for walkthroughs and more complete FAQs in:
GameFAQs (http://www.gamefaqs.com)
VGStrategies (http://vgstrategies.about.com)
Gamers Domain (http://www.gamersd.com)
PSX Codez (http://www.psxcodez.com)
Absolute PlayStation (http://www.absolute-playstation.com)
CheatStop (http://www.cheatstop.com)
You will find FAQs for nearly every game you that exists, no
wonder! :)
Say NO to drugs! :(
Say YES to aircraft simulators! :D
2.2 - History Review
0.00 - 02/14/2000 - First version, unreleased.
0.00a - 03/01/2000 - 2nd version. Big update.
1.00 - 03/20/2000 - Pre-release. Don't read previous versions, they
suck!
1.01 - 04/07/2000 - Final revision.
1.01a - 05/03/2000 - 1st complete version released.
1.50a - 05/19/2000 - If nothing new happens, this will be the last
released version. Added link to VGStrategies
and Gamers Domain.
1.51a - 08/07/2000 - Corrected some info on the A/Cs data, minor
changes.
1.55a - 08/28/2000 - Added links to PSX Codez and Absolute
PlayStation
1.60a - 10/25/2000 - Minor changes, added link to CheatStop.
1.70a - 05/09/2001 - CHANGED LEGAL STUFF. Small add-ons and changes.
3 - About the game
As usual, let's write something about the game - maybe you'll
find something useful here, no guarantee at all!
3.1 - Useless stuff
You are a mercenary, and have to accomplish several missions.
You have an awesome aircraft arsenal at your disposal, and several
enemies to defeat.
An old and easy game, but still fun to play. The more Legend
Pilots you defeat, the more stages and aircrafts you enable. This
FAQ is just about it: how to beat the game and defeat as many Legend
Pilots as possible.
Blah, blah, blah,... Let's go to business!
3.2 - Useful stuff
This game has several important features to help you, but there
are some I wanna emphasize.
3.2.1 - The commands
Learn to play with the control in Expert mode. It is harder but
far better. I also play in config A. In Options, you can also change
the measures from feets/knots to meters/kilometers per hour (KPH),
and vice versa. As in Brazil (and most of the world) we use metrical
units, I play in meters/KPH. The conversion factors are:
1 meter (m) = ca. 3.281 feet (ft)
1 KPH = ca. 0.538 knot
The commands for normal game (Expert mode) are:
up-left=front-left up up-right=front-right
(nose down + roll) (nose down) (nose down + roll)
left NEUTRAL right
(roll counter-clockwise) (roll clockwise)
down-left=back-left down down-right=back-right
(nose up + roll) (nose up) (nose up + roll)
The above is also for left analog control, I didn't test the right.
L1: air brake/brake (when you land)
R1: thrust up
L2: nose to the left (rudder left)
R2: nose to the right (rudder right)
Square (hold): map
Triangle: change target
X : gun
Circle: missiles
Select: internal/external view (toggle)
Start: pause
Viewing Aircraft In 3D: select a plane and press Circle.
D-Pad: rotates the plane
Triangle, Square or X: exit
Circle or Select: N/A
L1 or L2: zoom out
R1 or R2: zoom in
START button: resets position and shows different paintings schemes
of the plane (when applicable).
Music Test
D-Pad: move cursor
Triangle, Square or X: exit
Circle: execute selected command
L1 or L2: play previous track
R1 or R2: play next track
Start: Play/Stop (toggle)
Select: plane display/"light-show"/no menu bars (toggle)
NOTE: the plane shown here will be the last plane selected in the
"Viewing Aircraft in 3D" before you exit this, or the plane you
selected for a mission/free mission. The most recent prevails.
3.2.2 - The briefing
The Briefing is essential. Here you can see your targets, enemy
fighters, etc.. In the Briefing you will also know where they are,
and this is REALLY important. Moreover, it gives you some good hints,
so watch it.
The briefing shows the positions of enemy aircraft, some ground
units may not appear. Just keep in mind 4 types of objects:
Target (TGT) - goal objectives: destroy all
Hold your fire (NTGT) - non-target: DON'T destroy
Protect (FRND) - friends: protect
Danger - Legend pilots. The more of them you kill, the more aircrafts
and stages become available. More in "Legend Pilots".
After the briefing, you may be asked to hire a wingman. You have
2 wingmen to choose: Slash (male, blergh!) and Edge (a meowrr! lady).
If you hire one, you will also have to choose what the wingman will
do. You will hardly need a wingman if you are careful, but some
beginners may find'em handy. But, unlike FAQ authors, you must pay
for their work, so don't hire them too often.
3.2.3 - Instruments
When you are inside the airplane, you will only see the HUD,
that shows all the info you need in the game.
An aproximate HUD disposal is (inside):
=======ZZ%
Fuel
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy yyy
Direction
Speed Altitude
XXXX | xx ---------------- xx | YYYY
XXXX | | YYYY
* XXXX | xx ----WARNINGS---- xx | * YYYY
XXXX | | YYYY
XXXX | xx ---------------- xx | YYYY
Angle of attack
* - In some aircrafts, the current speed/altitude/direction will
appear inside a box
As your status change, the numbers vary accordingly. It's more
or less like a speedometer: as you accelerate or brake, the speed
changes. The indications are:
* MSSL/GUN: missile/gun mode. Just tells which weapon is best at the
current target range.
* In Rng: Enemy in range (inside only). Tells you if you are in range
for missile attacks at your enemy.
* Hit/Miss: hit/missed missile (inside only). Tells you that a fired
missile has just hit/missed its target.
These above are almost useless.
* yyy: the direction of your fighter (inside only). Saves time if you
know where to go.
* ZZ: remaining fuel percentage. Keep an eye on it, but you will
hardly be w/out fuel if you play seriously.
* xx: angle of attack (inside only). Positive indicates you are
climbing, negative tells you that you're diving. Important only in
low/high altitude flight. More on "A mini-guide to the victory".
* XXXX: speed. Keep it over 400 kph (215 knots) or you may stall.
But in high speeds, it is hard to maneuver, so keep it about 800 kph
(430 knots), faster if you are at high altitudes. More on "A
mini-guide to the victory".
* YYYY: altitude. Don't fly under 300 meters (1000 feet), unless in
some missions. 500 m (1700 ft) or more is recommended. More on "A
mini-guide to the victory".
* $$: remaining missiles. How many missiles your fighter still has.
Extremely important, keep a good eye on it.
* &&&: damage taken. indicates how much damage your fighter has
taken. The color changes when your damage increases. When it flashes,
in red, beware: you are almost dead. The most important info!!
* !!!!: the amount of armed missiles (those that you can fire at a
row). All planes except the XFA-27 can fire a max of 2. The XFA-27
can fire up to 4 missiles at a time. Each "!" indicates an armed
missile. No simbols means that you have to wait until you can fire
missiles again. Watch it, or you may miss a good opportunity... :(
* WARNINGS: instant instructions for you:
Bingo/Bull's Eye: good, you have just killed an enemy :)
Pull Up/Down: guess what? FOLLOW THE ORDER ASAP! :P
Missile Alert: GET OUTTA HERE!! A missile is chasing you! :(
Danger: yeah!! Legend Pilot coming!! ;)
Stall: uh-oh - you have just stalled. If you are low, use the
air brakes and level your fighter - if you have time,
that is. At high altitudes, punch your afterburner and
point your nose up. If you are in a dangerous place, get
ready for punishment - you were not gentle with your
fighter! ~_~
Caution: someone is hunting you. Wake up! :<
Out of Course: you are near the boundaries of the stage. Look
at the Map (just below) in order to get back!!
Moereover, there is a large circle when you are from inside. If
you shoot at an enemy out of this circle, your shot will probably
miss. So, keep your enemies inside that circle to shoot.
3.2.4 - The radar and the map
The radar scheme is more or less like this:
______________
| \ / | Arrows: indicate air targets
| \ / | Squares: indicate ground targets
| \ / | Small squares: indicate missiles (yours or not)
|-----A------| Red: indicates TGT
| | | Yellow: indicates NTGT
| | | Blue: indicates FRND
| S M L | S/M/L: indicates distance of targets by your zoom
-------------- (S: smaller distance, bigger zoom; L: longer
distance, smaller zoom)
A: indicates your position as seen from above
* The vertix of the arrow indicates the nose of the enemy
aircraft. Always try to attack from behind, so use it at your
advantage.
* Stealth Warplanes are harder to spot, specially if they are
behind and/or far from you.
* In some stages, your radar will malfunction, due to enemy
jamming (interference) or rain (if you climb over the clouds, this
malfunction disappears). More on "A mini-guide to the victory".
The Map works more or less like a long range radar, covering a
much wider area. It works (and malfunctions) just like the radar, but
with some differences:
* A large, blue, flashing arrow indicates the direction of TGTs,
and it only appears when there is no TGT in map range.
* The Map only indicates TGTs and FRNDs.
* There are no differences between air and ground targets.
* The Map doesn't zoom.
* Red borders tell that you are about to leave the stage area;
DON'T make it, or it is Mission Failed!! Get back to action
and pay attention!
3.2.5 - The sight
When you engage an air (ground) target, a square (circle)
surrounds it. The appearence is more or less like this:
_______
TYPE | | the vehicle/building type of target
FUNCTION | | TGT, NTGT, FRND or name (Legend Pilot)
-------
DISTANCE how far the target is from you
For ground targets, consider a circle instead of a square.
3.2.6 - Secrets
No Game Shark? Here are some secrets that don't depend on it.
MISC (any level)
* Extra Mode: beat the game
* Free Mission: beat the game in Extra Mode
* Viewing Aircraft in 3-D: kill all Legend Pilots
* Music Player & Bonus ending: beat the game as Captain or better
HIDDEN STAGES
* Destroy transport ships in "City on Fire" to open "Opera House"
* Destroy C-5 in "Greased Lightining" to open "Bear Tracks"
* Destroy transport ships in "Sledge Hammer" to open "Cuckoo's Nest"
* Protect ALL allied ships in "St. Elmo's Fire" to open "Juggernaut"
* Destroy B-2s landed in "Dead End" to open "Electric Dreams"
* Destroy Legend Pilot in "Kingpin" to open "Last Resort"
* Destroy SLBM in "Last Resort" to open "Fighter's Honor"
ENDINGS
* Normal Ending: DON'T kill the Legend Pilot in "Kingpin"
* Bad Ending: DON'T kill the SLBM in "Last Resort"
* Bonus Ending: BEAT the "Fighter's Honor" stage
You know any other secrets and/or have corrections? E-mail me.
3.2.7 - Ranking
I don't really know the factors that determine your ranking.
My assumptions go here:
* Game level - Hard raises faster than Easy
* Destroy Legend Pilots
* Destroy all enemies
* Time elapsed, but not as important as the others above.
The ranking seems to have influence in the aircrafts
available.
The ranks are:
* Airman
* Senior Airman
* Airman First Class
* Sergeant
* Staff Sergeant
* Master Sergeant
* Senior Master Sergeant
* First Sergeant
* Warrant Officer
* Second Lieutenant
* First Lieutenant
* Captain
* Major
* Lieutenant Colonel
* Colonel
* Brigadier General
* Major General
* Lieutenant General
* General
* Commander In Chief
4 - Aircrafts & ground targets
One good feature of AC2 is the great variety of aircrafts and
ground targets. This small guide will give you some info and hints.
4.1 - Aircrafts
This is a flight sim, right? So, it is natural that several
aircrafts, of different types, will be found. A small guide helps to
distinguish and know more about'em. Read section "Aircraft data" for
more details.
4.1.1 - Fighters
Money and performances are the keywords when you choose a
fighter to buy. The game isn't that realistic, but there are
lots of fighters at your disposal, so a quick guide might help
you.
There are 2 modes of play: Normal and Extra. 8 fighters are
common for both, 8 only for Normal and 8 only for Extra. In order
to enable Extra, you must beat the game once.
NORMAL
sell the A-4 - when possible (WP), buy the KF-C7 and sell the F-4 -
WP, buy the F-16 and sell the KF-C7 - WP, buy the F-14 and sell the
F-16 - WP, buy the Su-35 and sell the F-14.
(If you want, buy the F/A-18E WP. Then, when the Su-35 is available,
buy it and sell the F/A-18E. It isn't worthy, because you will only
play 2 missions with her, but she is great!)
EXTRA
sell the A-4 - WP, buy the X-29 and sell the MiG-21 - WP, buy the
F-16 and sell the X-29 - WP, buy the TND-F3 and sell the F-16 -
WP, buy the F-15S and sell the TND-F3 - WP, buy the XFA-27 and sell
the F-15S.
(If you want, buy the SF-39 WP. Then, when the F-15S is available,
buy it and sell the SF-39. It isn't worthy, because you will only
play 2 missions with her, but she is an awesome girl!)
Enemy fighters include all above related (except XFA-27), plus:
F/A-18D, F-15E, Su-37, BS-2B, Mr-2000, SF-37, AV-8B, Yak-141, JF-2A
and ADF-01*.
4.1.2 - Helicopters and other aircrafts
Enemies have helicopters: AH-64, Mil-24 and RAH-66. They
aren't very dangerous, but don't sleep or they may hazard you.
Other aircrafts include: C-5, C-17 (cargo), E-767 (AWACS),
B-1B, B-2*, XB-70, XB-10*, B-52 (bombers) and SR-71 (recon). None of
them may hazard you, except the B-52 - it has a gun on its tail, so
beware when you attack one from behind.
4.2 - Ground targets
Most ground targets are harmless. But some have built-on air
defenses, and some require you to shoot from a certain position.
4.2.1 - Air defenses
Uh-oh. There is big danger on the air, but far more in the
ground. Any contact with the ground (except good landings) means
instant death. Also, in the ground you will find several threats,
like SAMs (Surface to Air Missiles) and AAAs (Anti-Aircraft
Artillery). Both can make your life a lot harder, watch for them!
Mssl (SAM) - Very high damage per hit - sometimes over 40%!! When
you see a "Missile Alert!!", break hard to escape. Kill SAMs ASAP.
Gun (AAA) - Very low damage per hit, but don't sleep or they will
really hurt you, specially if they are in group. Fly high.
Tank/ADATS (SAM and/or AAA) - Unlike the previous, they are mobile.
Armor assures higher resistance. :(
4.2.2 - Ships
Some ships have its own defenses. If you want fun/money, destroy
one by one, but if you want safety/ammo/speed, aim directly at "Ship"
or "Warship".
4.3 - Targets Resistances
The resistance of the target depends on the Power of your
fighter. With the MiG-29 as a reference, the resistances are:
Helicopters, Ships, most ground targets: 1 missile
Tanks, ADATS, most fighters: 2 missiles
Heavy fighters, Legend Pilots, bombers, etc.: 3 missiles
XB-10: 6 missiles
Some targets may only be destroyed with guns. The chart
above is based on my assumption, so it may be wrong. Moreover, it
depends on the A/C you use.
4.4 - Legend Pilots
You have a board of medals (Decoration). When you kill a Legend
Pilot, you get his medal. They are cool, watch them.
You cannot - as you will see below - kill all the Legend Pilots
beating the game only once: you will have to do it at least twice.
Their fighters have more resistance than standard fighters. They
also are the most skilled enemies of the game, so beware. In the
order of the Decoration, from top left to bottom right, they are:
1ST LINE: Z.O.E pilots
Their ranks increase here. E.G.: if you do not kill the Major in
"Seagull", the Legend Pilot in "Power Play" will NOT be the
Colonel, but the Major. If you don't kill them all, the last one
will NOT be the Commander.
Captain (F-14) - MISSION 7: Sledge Hammer
Major (F/A-18E) - MISSION 11: Seagull
Colonel (F-22) - MISSION 13: Power Play
General (F-15S) - MISSION 19: Kingpin
Commander (ADF-01) - MISSION 21: Fighter's Honor
(stay too long on his tail and he may fire a missile BACKWARDS!!)
2ND LINE
Superfly (F-4) - MISSION 2: Easy Money
Ricochet (MiG-29) - MISSION 4.1: Tin Castle
D.Cowboy (Su-25 x 2) - MISSION 4.2: Opera House
Razorback (F-117A x 2) - MISSION 6.1: Midnight Assassin or
MISSION 6.2: Bear Tracks
Tallman & Metal Sphere (F-16 x 2) - MISSION 9: Swordsmith
3RD LINE
Stalker (MiG-31) - MISSION 10: Toy Box
Hangmen (R-M01 x 2) - MISSION 11: Seagull
Max & Goose (TND-F3 x 2) - MISSION 14.A: El Dorado
Death Rave 2000 (EF-2000 x 3) - MISSION 14.B: Dark Star
Dao, Xian & Xiao (F-15E x 3) - MISSION 15.A: St. Elmo's Fire
Fox Force Four (YF-23A x 4) - MISSION 15.B: Dead End
5 - A mini-guide to the victory
Well, we wanna beat all Legend Pilots and the game, right? So
here go some hints for each stage. All stages are listed by its code
name. DON't hire a wingman, except in the "Sledge Hammer" stage (and
possibly in the "St. Elmo's Fire" stage also).
The tips are: 1) destroy Legend Pilots
2) destroy all enemies you want/can and
3) destroy TGTs.
More specific tactics are listed below.
* MISSION 1: Gambit
Piece of cake. Kill everyone, and beware of the B-52s's rear guns.
* MISSION 2: Easy Money (Superfly)
Piece of cake. Kill Superfly 1st, then kill everyone else.
* MISSION 3: City on Fire
Easy. Beware, there are air defenses here. Use the buildings as
shields. Kill everyone if you want.
HIDDEN MISSION: Destroy transport ships here to open "Opera House".
* MISSION 4.1: Tin Castle (Ricochet)
Easy. Beware of air defenses, and kill Ricochet 1st. Kill everyone if
you want.
* MISSION 4.2: Opera House (D.Cowboy)
Piece of cake. kill Cowboys 1st, and beware of air defenses. Watch
your ammo.
* MISSION 5: Greased Lightining
Hard. You can't fly above 300 m (1000 ft), or you will be killed.
In some parts, however, you MUST fly over 250 m (800 ft) or you will
crash in the tight stone walls. If you destroy the C-5 near the tower
in the ending of the stage, you might not be able to hit the Tower -
the only TGT - and it means "Mission Failed". If you are playing Free
Mission with the XFA-27, never mind. :) Beware of air defenses. The
F-16 can destroy the C-5 if you fly with the air brake activated.
HIDDEN MISSION: Destroy the C-5 to open "Bear Tracks".
* MISSION 6.1: Midnight Assassin (Razorback)
Average. The problem here are the jamming aircrafts: 2 E-767 planes.
The TGTs are disposed more or less like this:
**
** **
** $$
where * means F/A-18D and $ means E767. Using your map, fly straight
to the E767s and displace both. Then, look for Razorbacks and kill
them. After that, do what you want. Just remember that the F/A-18Ds
are tough guys.
* MISSION 6.2: Bear Tracks (Razorback)
Average. Just bear in mind that you need a good position to attack
targets in the crates, or your missiles will hit the stone walls.
Displace Razorbacks 1st, then have fun. Beware of air defenses.
* MISSION 7: Sledge Hammer (Z.O.E. Captain)
Annoying. Call the wingman with "Commence escort operation" and in a
MiG-29. Look for the Z.O.E. Major (fly to the left side of the bay)
and waste him. Destroy the cargo ships - beware of their AAAs. Return
ASAP to protect the bombers. Annoying to death.
HIDDEN MISSION: Destroy the 2 cargo ships to open "Cuckoo's Nest".
* MISSION 8.1: Rising High
Average. The worst thing here is the stall. Keep your AOA small when
you are over 2500 m (7500 ft). Fly at high speeds - over 1000 kph
(540 knots) - when you are at high altitudes. Maneuver VERY smoothly
or you will stall. If you are careful, the MiG-29 will do. The F-14
and TND-F3 are even better. The targets themselves are sitting ducks.
* MISSION 8.2: Cuckoo's Nest
Average. You can't lock missiles on the crates, so you are a sitting
duck to the fighters. Waste the C-17s to earn big money. Be careful.
* MISSION 9: Swordsmith (Tallman & Metal Sphere)
Easy. Displace Tallman and Metal Sphere. Then, go and eliminate the
targets, always watching for air defenses. A missile may destroy a
NTGT if you aren't careful, even if you don't aim at it. Find the
correct position to fire.
* MISSION 10: Toy Box (Stalker)
Easy. Displace the Stalker 1st. Beware of air defenses near hangars.
If the hidden bomber appears, all remaining hangars become normal
ground targets. The bomber requires 3 missiles to be destroyed.
* MISSION 11: Seagull (Hangmen & Z.O.E. Major)
Average. Search the Z.O.E. Major and Hangmen 1st. After you displace
them, attack the ships. If you wanna make the mission faster, more
safely and still save your ammo, hit the Warship/Carrier, instead of
Mssl/Gun. If you want fun and money, hit each one separately. After
that, you have to land. Hold Brake and put the fighter according to
the HUD markings. This is the hard point.
* MISSION 12: One Night Stand
Average. Looks like the "Greased Lightining", and the same rules
apply here indeed: fly under 300 m (1000 ft). Don't be worried with
the path you choose, all of them take you to the target. Beware with
Mi-24s: they can fire guns or missiles at you.
* MISSION 13: Power Play (Z.O.E. Colonel)
Average. Displace the Z.O.E. 1st. When you shoot the Guns/Mssls
(AAAs/SAMs), be careful or you may hit a NTGT, as in "Swordsmith".
The Missions 15, 16 and 17 depend on your choice in Mission 14.
You may choose Mode A or B (that's why you can't kill all Legend
Pilots if you beat the game only once: you need to beat it in both A
and B Modes to kill them all).
MODE "A" (ALPHAVILLE)
* MISSION 14.A: El Dorado (Max & Goose)
Hard. Search and destroy Max and Goose 1st. Destroy air defenses and
attack the silos. But the silos must be attacked by the FRONT, at
low altitudes, or you will miss. REALLY watch your ammo and fuel here
or you are doom.
* MISSION 15.A: St. Elmo's Fire (Dao, Xiang, Xiao)
Hard. It won't be easy to protect ALL ships AND displace all Legend
Pilots, but it is possible - even flying solo. Concern about the
ground enemies. Whenever a fighter tries to attack the convoy, threat
it. You don't have to beat all the fighters, that is not hard.
HIDDEN MISSION: Protect ALL battleships to open "Juggernaut".
* MISSION 16.1.A: Visiting Hours
Hard. There is a clock on the upper right corner of the screen,
marking 14:57 when the action begins. Go to the target area and
displace any air defenses you find. Watch the island: it has 2 large
doors. Align yourself with any of them when the clock marks 15:00 and
get in. You will only have 1min30sec, so be fast. Without an Expert
control here, it is very, very hard to get in. Lock on the target and
blow it away!
* MISSION 16.2.A: Juggernaut
Average. Copy of "Seagull", but the ships are more heavily defended.
You also have to land in a carrier. :(
* MISSION 17.A: Sentinel
Hard. You must destroy the radar sites, and you can only make it
using your gun. As you don't have to worry about ammo, kill everyone
if you want. Just be careful not to crash the stone walls.
END OF MODE "A"
MODE "B" (BELLISSIMA)
* MISSION 14.B: Dark Star (Death Rave 2000)
Hard. Due to the rain, your radar will malfunction. Find and destroy
all C-5s, then the DR2000 trio. After that, waste the remaining. If
you want a clean radar reading, climb above the clouds.
* MISSION 15.B: Dead End (Fox Force Four)
Very hard, if you want the surprise attack. If you successfully get
on surprise, the B-2s will be landed, and will be easy to kill.
If you don't (Spike!), climb to a safe altitude. The FFF team is a
good match, watch your tail and ammo! Landing here is far easier than
in the carriers, but it is the same way indeed.
HIDDEN MISSION: Destroy both B-2s to open "Electric Dreams".
* MISSION 16.1.B: Cavalry
Hard. Fly straight to the downed plane - it is right in your
direction, near the end of the stage, so fly fast. Displace all
ADATS/Tanks here. Return ASAP to the beginning of the stages - the
ground units will be in trouble, help them. DON'T bother with the
MiG-31s, they will hardly be a hassle.
* MISSION 16.2.B: Electric Dreams
Easy. If you manged to arrive so late in the game, you are a master
in evading SAMs. There is little fighter resistance. The only bad
thing is that the SAMs are located underground, rendering them
invulnerable. If you fly low & fast, you will make it untouched. Just
beat the ground targets.
* MISSION 17.B: Final Countdown
Hard. Watch your ammo here, because the Su-37s are awesome fighters,
better than your Su-35. The pilots are also very good, and they will
avoid your missiles all the time. You may run out of missiles if you
aren't careful. Looks like "Seagull".
END OF MODE "B"
END OF MODES
* MISSION 18: Jewel Box
Average. Beware of heavy air defenses. Landing is easy.
* MISSION 19: Kingpin (Z.O.E. General)
Hard to very hard. Look for the Z.O.E. General after you displace
some TGTs, at least those near the beginning of the stage. Heavy air
defenses, including Tanks/ADATS. Watch your ammo.
HIDDEN MISSION: KILL the Legend Pilot to open "Last Resort"
NORMAL ENDING: DON'T kill the Legend Pilot
* MISSION 20: Last Resort
A nightmare if you aren't careful. Displace air defenses. Then, when
you can hit the submarine, shoot 2 missiles and TURN. Fly heading to
the city. Fire 2 missiles at the sub, always firing your gun. When
the SLBM comes out, run after it firing your gun. The SLBM is MUCH
HARDER to beat than any fighter in the game. You will certainly have
problems here, so use all your skill to beat the SLBM. Accelerate,
brake and turn accordingly. DON'T release the Gun button, or you
won't make it. By far, the most ANNOYING stage.
HIDDEN MISSION: KILL the SLBM to open "Fighter's Honor"
BAD ENDING: DON'T kill the SLBM.
* FINAL MISSION: Fighter's Honor (Z.O.E Commander)
Very hard. Fly straight to meet the last and harder Legend Pilot: the
Z.O.E. Commander. Displace him. After that, destroy the Fortress
TGTs. Don't waste time with the F-15Ss, they are endless. Return to
the beginning of the stage and destroy all remaining TGTs. Align and
enter the fortress. It is very hard, because it has only one
entrance, and there are several SAMs and AAAs that are impossible to
destroy. Shoot as many missiles you want in the last TGT of the game.
BONUS ENDING: BEAT this stage.
6 - Combat Tactics
To reach the victory, some hints are very handy:
* Displace SAMs before you displace AAAs. SAMs are far deadlier.
* Enemy fighters will only shoot at you if you fly straight too long.
Turn constantly and they will have a hard time to hit you.
* Missile Alert!! When it happens, break hard to escape, but watch
the ground!
For some more specific hints, read below.
6.1 - Dogfights
Close air combats among fighters and/or interceptors are called
dogfights, because they are as brutal as fights among dogs.
In order to win a dogfight, the best hint is to get close, and
stay close. The best position to shoot is from behind, and closer
than 500 m (1500 ft). Use your Brakes and Accelerator accordingly, to
get an advantage position.
If your enemy is turning, follow him and WAIT: when he quits
from turning, fire 2 missiles at him and wait. If you made everything
right, then both missiles should hit, and the fighter is killed.
Always fire 2 missiles against a fighter. If both hit, the
fighter will probably be destroyed. In some few cases - specially
Legend Pilots - you need to hit 3 times, but it is not the rule.
Against non-fighters, shoot 2 missiles, wait and shoot a 3rd
missile. Or, if you want, use your gun more often.
Against choppers, try not to attack from the front or you may
be hit. A single missile will do.
Some enemies will use guns against you, beware. Break hard and
maneuver briskly if an enemy is on your tail, specially if he manages
to fire a missile at you. Turn hard and try to engage him. Now, it's
party time!
7 - Aircrafts
Well, here go the data on the aircrafts, mostly based on the
data I personally have, not on the game's data - it would cost me a
lot more to get those, because I can only play AC2 in games centers.
NOTE: my opinions here are not personal; they are based in the many
(specialized) books and magazines I've read in my whole life, so
don't just call me a "commie sympathizer" or whatever. I'm impartial,
that's what I mean. The data below are FACTS, not ASSUMPTIONS.
Any information regarded as "rumour" means that it came from a
dependable, yet unofficial, source.
The aircrafts will be described like this:
Game Name: The name that appears in the briefing (* for Stealth)
Available: Available or not for you, in Normal, Extra or Both
True Name: The true designation of the A/C, plus "codename/nickname"
Function : Primary mission of the A/C (carrier based indicates that
the A/C is able to operate in carriers. If it can operate
in carriers, it obviously can operate in ground)
Origin : Country of origin#
Wingspan : Distance between wingtips, in m (for helicopters, rotor
diameter; if the wingspan is variable, the value given
here is the maximum)
Lenght : In m (for helicopters, including rotor) (1m is ca. 3ft)
Height : In m
MTOW : In metric tons (1 ton here means 1000 kg, or ca. 2000 lb)
#note: Russia here refers to former Soviet Union (FSU), and in the
current days the producer might be located outside Russia yet inside
the Commonwealth of the Independent States (CIS).
If you have any questions, please refer to "Abbreviations" and
"Questions & Answers", just below. If even so you have quetions, feel
free to e-mail me.
The data on Kosovo War losses can be found at:
Venik's Aviation Page
Game Name: A-4
Available: Yes/Both
True Name: A-4 "Scooter" Skyhawk
Function : Carrier based light attack A/C
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 8.38
Lenght : 12.27
Height : 4.57
MTOW : 11.113
This A/C entered service in early 1950s, but is still in service
in several countries - e.g., Brazil, Argentina, Singapore. It has
made nearly every mission possible: it was originally planned as a
light attack A/C for the USN, to carry a single nuke, but when SSBNs
- and their deadly SLBMs - became available, this function was
quickly cancelled. After this, it spent most of its service life as a
conventional attack and CAS A/C. It has also served as "agressor" for
the "Topguns" and was also used by the "Blue Angels", until the early
1990s for both. It is so small that doesn't need foldable wings to be
carrier-used. Other important missions made by the A-4 include:
training (recently replaced by the T-45 Goshawk), SEAD (replaced by
the F-4) and mini-tanker (using the "buddy-buddy" system, replaced by
the KA-6D). It was fully replaced in the USMC and "Blue Angels" by
the F/A-18 Hornet, and in the USN by the A-7. The current users of
the A-4 are now upgrading their A/Cs. Kuwait used it in the Gulf
War. The nickname: the A-4 was one of the early carrier based jets.
The pilots, admired by its fast acceleration and good speed, the same
as the fighters of that time, said it's as fast and compact as a
scooter (another novelty at that time), hence the nickname.
This is the 1st A/C available in the game, in both Normal and
Extra. In my opinion, you will never have to use it, sell ASAP.
Game Name: F-4
Available: Yes/Normal
True Name: F-4 "Old Smokey" Phantom II
Function : Carrier based heavy multirole fighter
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 11.71
Lenght : 19.20
Height : 5.02
MTOW : 28.030
One of the most versatile A/Cs ever, the F-4 has been built
in several different versions, for missions ranging from long range
fleet defense interceptor (original function) to recce (last version
produced). It had the best performances ever shown by a fighter:
climbing speed and maximum speed were awesome, beaten only by newer
A/Cs, like the MiG-25 "Foxbat". It also worked as: SEAD, training,
fighter-bomber, fighter, attacker, precision attack, escort... It was
originally planned as a long range interceptor for the USN, in the
late 1950s, but soon entered service in the USAF, and was used in all
the missions above by both forces. It is the only A/C until today
that was simultaneously used by the "Blue Angels" and the
"Thunderbirds". As a long range interceptor, it was replaced by the
F-14 (USN), F-15 (USAF, Israel, Japan) and Tornado F.Mk3 (RAF). As a
multirole A/C, it was replaced by the F-16 (USAF) and F/A-18 (USN and
USMC). It is still in service, with upgraded versions, in Germany (as
F-4F ICE), Israel (F-4 Kurnass 2000; kurnass is the Israeli word for
phantom) and Japan (F-4EJ Kai; kai is the japanese word for plus, or
improved, or better). In Spain, the recce version RF-4C is still in
service. It is the most produced supersonic fighter in the US, even
more than the F-16. The Gulf War was it's last war with the US forces
- the SEAD version was used. The nickname: the engines of the F-4
REALLY make a lot of visible smoke.
The 2nd A/C available in Normal. Use it until you can buy the
KF-C7.
The most produced supersonic A/C ever. Originally planned as a
light fighter/interceptor to hunt B-52s, it has made almost every
mission possible. Over 13,000 MiG-21s were produced, and China has
built some more - and some modified versions of this excellent A/C,
and one of them intercepted (and collided with) the US EP-3 recently.
In the years just after the Korea War, the USSR government decided
to make an A/C as agile as the awesome MiG-15 (far better than the
F-86, no matter what Americans say). First, they made the MiG-17,
little more than a MiG-15 with afterburners - but even so it ruined
USAF, USN and USMC in the Vietnam War. Later, the huge MiG-19, the
1st supersonic fighter that entered service - 2 years before the US
F-100 Super Sabre, according to recently declassified data. But the
evolution was so fast, that the Mach 2 MiG-21 appeared in less than
5 years and made the MiG-19 obsolete. The MiG-21, as all USSR A/Cs,
was built to be cheap and simple. This means easy maintenance and
low costs, coupled with high dependability and huge numbers and,
unlike most US A/Cs, it can be used in rough runways. Even being much
simpler and cheaper then the US F-4s, the MiGs -17, -19 and,
specially, the -21, proved to be lethal dogfighters, and the US
didn't repeat the (claimed) awesome feats of the Korea War. The MiGs
were so effective that they forced US forces to make 2 things: 1) new
fighters were planned, with high maneuv capabilities: the F-14, F-15,
F-16 and F/A-18; 2) creation of "figter pilots schools", like the
"Topguns". The low acquisition price and service costs, coupled with
huge numbers produced, made it the fighter of choice of several
countries in the world, and it is being upgraded in several places.
The 2nd A/C in Extra. Use until you can buy the X-29.
Game Name: KF-C7
Available: Yes/Normal
True Name: Kfir C7
Function : Medium multirole fighter
Origin : Israel
Wingspan : 8.22
Lenght : 15.65
Height : 4.55
MTOW : 16.500
After the incredible Six Days War, in 1967, several countries
(including France) seized the sale of military equipments for Israel.
The Israeli government knew they would need a new A/C, so the IAI
company was created. Based in the older French fighter Mirage III,
IAI built a much better A/C, the Kfir (Israeli word that means
little lion, or lion pup), using the same engine of the brand new
F-4s (the original French made Atar engine sucks), Canard forewings
and other minor changes. It entered service, as the Nesher prototype,
in the Yom Kippur War (1973), and operational service soon after. The
C7 is its latest version. It has been used as interceptor, fighter,
bomber, precision bomber, CAS... It was complemented by the F-15 and
F-16, as the weapons seizures ended just after the Yom Kippur War.
The Kfir was exported to few countries, including South Africa -
where it was used as the basis for the local Atlas Cheetah
(unofficial info).
A good A/C for Normal. Use it until you can buy the F-16.
Game Name: X-29
Available: Yes/Both
True Name: X-29
Function : Light experimental A/C
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 8.29
Lenght : 14.66
Height : 4.36
MTOW : N/A
Made for SFW investigation, only 2 prototypes were built.
It's not a very good A/C, specially due to its unstability. But
the X-29 is good for the "Rising High" stage.
Game Name: SF-35
Available: Yes/Extra
True Name: J-35 Draken
Function : Light multirole fighter
Origin : Sweden
Wingspan : 9.40
Lenght : 15.35
Height : 3.89
MTOW : 12.270
Sweden has a long history of politic neutralility, and was
neutral even in both World Wars and the the Cold War. To be truly
neutral, they need to have its own military industry. One of the
early Mach 2 fighters was planned and made in Sweden, the J-35
Draken (dragon). This is a unique fighter. It was the 1st operational
A/C to use "double-delta" wings, some 25 years before the US-made
experimental F-16XL. It provides huge lift and wing surface, even
with a minimal wingspan. It is in use in Sweden and Austria, more
than 40 years after its maiden flight, and is being replaced in
Sweden by the JAS 39 Gripen.
I really see no need for this A/C, but if you want some fun...
Game Name: AV-8B
Available: No
True Name: AV-8B "Jump jet" Harrier II
Function : Light multirole V/STOL fighter
Origin : UK/USA
Wingspan : 9.25
Lenght : 14.12
Height : 3.55
MTOW : 14.061 (non-VTOL)
For several years, the main weakness of A/Cs was the need of
long runways, making them vulnerable to attacks at their bases. The
1st A/C that successfully solved this problem was the British light
fighter Harrier. Subsequent updates turned the light fighter in a
true multirole warplane. Its TVC is different of any other, and
allows excellent maneuv capabilities. When UK retired the
conventional carriers and introduced the "straight-deck cruiser"
(term used to distinguish from carriers, avoiding troubles with
politicians), the RN adopted a naval version, the Sea Harrier. Both
the Harrier/Sea Harrier were decisive in the Falklands War (1982).
But, surprisingly, the Harrier is not much used, possibly because of
old-minded politicals and military that don't trust in the V/STOL
concept. USAF and USN rejected it, probably because UK made it before
the US. The USMC, however, DID need a CAS A/C, and a V/STOL one was
splendid. It could operate from small and rude airfields near the
FEBA, and fly CAS faster than any other A/C. The AV-8B is an upgraded
version of the Harrier, and is produced under license by Boeing
(former McDonell Douglas). It has larger and foldable wings, and is
very simmilar to the UK's Harrier GR.Mk7 (why does UK likes Mk so
much???). All the versions of the Harrier share the "Jump jet"
nickname, due to the capability to "jump", that is, to take-off
vertically. The major problem of the Harrier: the engine nozzles are
located in the middle of the fuselage. An IR-guided missile, even a
shoulder-fired one, is enough to destroy the plane; that happened in
the Gulf and Kosovo, when some planes were destroyed by MANPADS.
Unavailable. *sob*
Game Name: A-7
Available: No
True Name: A-7 "SLUF" Corsair II
Function : Carrier based medium attack A/C
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 11.80
Lenght : 14.06
Height : 4.90
MTOW : 19.050
Planned in the late 1950s and early 1960s as a medium attack
A/C, simpler and cheaper than the A-6 but heavier than the A-4, it
has excellent ground attack capabilities, and is fairly agile. It can
carry more payload than the A-4, for longer distances; for this
reason, it replaced the Skyhawk in the USN. It was widely used in
Vietnam, and was also used by USAF. It was completely replaced by the
F-16 (USAF) and F/A-18 (USN). The USMC didn't like it, and preferred
to keep with the older A-4, mainly due to the fact that the A-4 is
easier to operate in the small USMC carriers. It has foldable wings.
USN retired it after the Gulf War, but it is still in service, mainly
with the Greek AF. SLUF goes for Short Little Ugly Fellow.
Unavailable.
Game Name: BS-2B
Available: No
True Name: Buccaneer S Mk.2B
Function : Carrier based heavy attack A/C
Origin : UK
Wingspan : 13.41
Lenght : 19.33
Height : 4.95
MTOW : 38.132
Planned at about the same time of the A-6, the "Buc" has the
same capabilities overall, and is one of the fastest planes for
low-altitude flights ever built. It has small wings - for stable
flights in the turbulent airs of the low altitudes - but a special
device deviated some of the air that passed in the engine, to create
a superlift effect on the wings, that can be folded. It doesn't have
guns. When UK decided to retire conventional carriers, due to the
huge service price, the RN had to give all their "Bucs" to the RAF.
RAF used it in the Gulf War, and South Africa used it in the mid
1980s. It is now retired in both countries.
Unavailable.
Game Name: A-6
Available: Yes/Both
True Name: A-6 Intruder
Function : Carrier based heavy attack A/C
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 16.15
Lenght : 16.69
Height : 4.93
MTOW : 26.580
The A-6 was planned as a long range, N/AW A/C. It used a very
complex radar, and its avionics allowed high precision attacks, even
in N/AW conditions. It evolved as a multirole A/C, serving also as
a tanker (KA-6D) and jamming (EA-6B Prowler) platform, both still in
service. It entered service just before the Vietnam war, and was
heavily used there. Its last operational use was the Gulf War. Its
was only used by the USN and USMC, and completely replaced by the
F/A-18 Hornet; but KA-6D and EA-6B will work for some more time... It
has no internal guns nor missiles for self-defense.
You won't need it, but it's a good choice for ground attacks,
altough its low mobility makes it a poor dogfighter.
Game Name: Yak-141
Available: No
True Name: Yak-141 "Freestyle"
Function : Heavy multirole supersonic V/STOL fighter prototype
Origin : Russia
Wingspan : 10.1
Lenght : 18.3
Height : 5.24
MTOW : 18.500
USSR developed some V/STOL fighters at about the same epoch of
the Harrier, but they did not succeed. Yak DB designed the Yak-34,
-36 and -41. The -34 had a short service life, being replaced by the
-36. The Yak-41 was developed as an advanced V/STOL fighter, but the
collapse of the USSR caused the end of the plane that would be the
1st operational supersonic V/STOL fighter (altough the Mirage III V
was the 1st supersonic V/STOL ever, it was cancelled). Pity. The
Yak-141 is a modified Yak-41 prototype, for high-speed trials.
Unavailable.
Game Name: SF-37
Available: No
True Name: JA-37 Viggen
Function : Heavy interceptor/fighter
Origin : Sweden
Wingspan : 10.60
Lenght : 16.30
Height : 5.80
MTOW : 17.000
The Viggen (lightining) was developed as an attack A/C, even for
N/AW conditions. It was the 1st operational plane to use Canard
forewings (fixed) and thrust reversor. Several versions were
developed, including recce, training and fighter - and the fighter
version is the JA-37 of the game. It has a newer radar, and superb
interception capabilities. All Viggens are being replaced by Gripens
in Sweden.
Unavailable.
Game Name: F-16
Available: Yes/Both
True Name: F-16 "Electric Jet" Fighting Falcon
Function : Ground based medium multirole fighter
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 10.00
Lenght : 15.03
Height : 5.09
MTOW : 19.187
Just after the F-15 entered production, the USAF, concerned with
its huge cost, made a request for an experimental LWF. At first, USAF
only wanted to know it it was possible to make an advanced fighter,
yet less expensive than the F-15. However, it leaded to a mass
production "light" (actually, a medium) fighter, and the winner was
the F-16. It was the 1st production fighter to use "true" LERX
(actually, the SR-71, the YF-12 and the F-5 had it already, but in
the F-5 it is MUCH smaller than in the F-16; the YF-12 was cancelled
and the SR-71 is a dedicated recce plane) and "true" FBW (that means,
no hydro/mechanic backup) to control its natural unstability; this
improves agility, but makes the A/C completely dependent of its
computers (that's why it's called "electric jet"). It is completely
better than the F-4: it is more agile, has better climbing ability,
cheaper, more advanced and economic. It will double the payload for
the same range, or double the range for the same payload. Moreover,
its upgrade potential is far from being exhausted, and it is still a
1st grade fighter, almost 25 years after it entered service. It was
sold to several countries, and is the most widely used A/C of the
USAF. It can accomplish all the missions the F-4 can, plus several
others. It was the most numerous A/C at the Gulf War, and some were
downed. It's the current A/C of the "Thunderbirds". An F-16 was
destroyed in a BVR combat by a missile (R-27/AA-10 "Alamo"?) launched
by a MiG-29 in the Kosovo War. Unfortunately, the pilot was killed.
Excellent overall A/C. But, as in true world, it is no better
than the Russian MiG-29, so replace your F-16 by a MiG-29 when you
can.
Game Name: JF-2A
Available: No
True Name: F-2A
Function : Medium multirole fighter
Origin : USA/Japan
Wingspan : 11.13 (with wingtip missiles)
Lenght : 15.52
Height : 4.96
MTOW : 22.100
The F-2A is the conclusion of the FSX project. It is a version
of the F-16C, produced in Japan with Japanese avionics.
Unavailable.
Game Name: Mr-2000
Available: No
True Name: Mirage 2000
Function : Medium multirole fighter
Origin : France
Wingspan : 9.13
Lenght : 15.36
Height : 5.20
MTOW : 17.000
The last fighter of the French Mirage clan, the Mirage 2000 is
equipped with FBW, giving it high agility. It can be compared in most
things to the F-16, but the latest versions are quite better. 2 were
lost in the Kosovo War.
Unavailable.
Game Name: F-117A*
Available: Yes/Both
True Name: F-117A "Black Jet" Nighthawk
Function : Long range precision attack medium A/C
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 13.30
Lenght : 20.08
Height : 3.78
MTOW : 23.814
It is the 1st true Stealth Warplane operational in the world. It
entered service in the early 1980s, but USAF denied its existence
until the quick operation in Panama, in 1989. Most details are still
secret, and the only payload type observed were two GBUs, in an
internal bay. It is the "silver bullet" of the USAF, used for
dangerous missions, like those over Bagdahd in the Gulf War. It can
attack with very high precision, because the pilot don't have to
worry very much about the enemy's defenses. One of the "Black Jets"
(why the nickname? See a picture of a true F-117A and you will know)
destroyed over the former Yugoslavia was smothered by the Yugoslavian
AAAs and SAMs. Rumours say that 1 Nighthawk was destroyed in the
Kosovo War by a MiG-29 attack, and a 3rd one was destroyed by a SAM.
The only good thing of this A/C: it's Stealth. You'll be
harder to hit. But you won't need it anyawy...
Game Name: Su-25
Available: Yes/Extra
True Name: Su-25 "Frogfoot"
Function : Ground based medium attack A/C
Origin : Russia
Wingspan : 14.36
Lenght : 15.53
Height : 4.80
MTOW : 18.600
Planned in the late 1970s as a CAS A/C, it fought in the
Afghanistan War, in the 1980s - a war that much contributed for the
collapse of the USSR. It is somewhat simmilar to the canceled YA-9,
the A/C who lost the A-X competition to the A-10. An excellent
A/C, with vital points armoured. The efficiency of the project may
be proved by a simple fact: in 8 years of crude war and more than
60,000 missions, only 23 Su-25s were lost. In the short Gulf War, for
example, 6 RAF Tornados were lost. The Su-25 is a very agile A/C,
with a powerful 30 mm gun and 10 hardpoints to carry weapons. In
fact, it is one of the very best "Tank Killers" in the world, only
inferior to the Su-39 (an upgraded version of the Su-25 itself) and
the big bad A-10. Carrier-based versions of the Su-25 were planed,
specially a twin-seat for training, they seem to be stalled.
You won't need the Su-25 in the game, but it's pretty good for
ground attacks.
Game Name: A-10
Available: Yes/Normal
True Name: A-10 "Warthog" Thunderbolt II
Function : Ground based heavy attack A/C
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 17.53
Lenght : 16.26
Height : 4.47
MTOW : 22.680
The A-10 was planned in the mid-1970s as a CAS A/C, and won
the A-X request. It carries the most powerful gun ever used by an
A/C: the GAU 8/A Avenger. It fires 30 mm shells (bigger, tougher
and heavier than any other 30 mm available) through its 7 barrels, at
an astonishing 4,200 rpm rate. The recoil force equals the thrust of
one engine of the A-10! It is heavily armoured, far more than any
other A/C flying today (except, possibly, the Mil Mi-24). A proof of
this: in the Gulf War, no A-10s were lost. One of them ate 300+ 23mm
bullet impacts, and landed normally! It was the A/C that destroyed
more targets (and tanks) over there. It has 13 harpoints to carry
weapons, and at low speeds it's more agile than the F-15 and F-16!
Its unique engines allow it to fly for a long time at reduced speeds
- 500 kph and less - an ability that light supersonic multirole
fighters (coughF16cough) don't have. For these and other several
reasons, it's the best CAS A/C in the world. However, it's operated
by the US Air Force, not the Army. USAF doesn't like the A-10,
because it ain't a fighter, but used the A-10 for other missions -
like FAC and SAR escort; the A-10 proved to be unbeatable in both.
The A-10 was to be retired by the USAF, but the Gulf War proved that
the A-10 is still an awesome war machine - doing its job as well as
the sophisticated F-117A Stealth, 4x the cost F-15E, and F-16. The
nickname comes for several reasons: people say that it is ugly, rude,
has "thick skin" (the armour) and "big teeth" (the Avenger), just
like a big, bad, wild warthog. The nickname "tankbuster" is often
used and needs no explanation... Just to see the efectiveness of the
project: in the Kosovo War, one OA-10A (designation of the A-10 when
used in FAC missions, but it is the same plane, no changes at all)
was hit by a man-portable SAM SA-7 "Grail". It made an emergency
landing, but was repaired and is in service again. Several Harriers
hit by the very same SAM were immediately destroyed.
As it was not planned to be a fighter, you won't have any need
for the A-10 in the game - but she looks pretty cool anyway, and is
lethal for ground attacks.
Game Name: MiG-29
Available: Yes/Both
True Name: MiG-29 "Fulcrum"
Function : Ground based medium multirole fighter
Origin : Russia
Wingspan : 11.36
Lenght : 17.32
Height : 4.73
MTOW : 18.500
The USSR government made a request, in 1969, for 2 new figters,
that should replace older A/Cs, both heavy as the Su-15 "Flagon" and
light as the MiG-21 "Fishbed". The winners were Su and MiG DBs. As
usual, always based on the CAGI (former TsAGI, the Russian NASA)
studies, the MiG DB designed the "light" fighter, and Su DB the
"heavy". The MiG-29 entered service 2 years before its big sister,
the Su-27. Both A/Cs appeared very simmilar, but the MiG-29 was
smaller by about 1.25-1.30. The MiG-29 quickly proved its worth: it's
cheaper than the F-16, both to acquire and to maintain; even so, it's
has far better climbing ability, agility at subsonic speeds (in
dogfights, the speed rarely goes over 750 kph) and radar. Recently,
several new versions of the "Fulcrum" have been planned, but the
economical situation of Russia makes them appear slowly. It has an
awesome IR/LRMTS pod in front of the cockpit which enables the
"Fulcrum" to acquire targets at long range w/out the radar. The LRMTS
enhances the precision of fixed weapons, in such a level that took
the MiG-29 chief designerRotislav Belyakov to state "if I knew that
the gun would have such a pinpoint accuracy, I would have used half
the ammo!". The MiG-29 was the 1st A/C (along with the Su-27) to
combine several devices to increase lift: twin stabilizators, LERX
and wide fuselage. This combination results in better agility than
the F-16, but the MiG-29 doesn't use FBW! It is a lot more safer than
the F-16, because the stability is absolutely normal. However, many
Americans still believe that the F-16 is better... pity. At least one
F-117A was destroyed by the MiG-29s in the Kosovo War (unofficial).
Buy it when you can: it is an excellent A/C, and the only
disadvantage in comparison with the F-16 is its price. In the game,
that is, because in true world it is cheaper than the F-16. But if
you can wait the F-14 or the TND-F3 are even better, and come
immediately after the MiG-29.
Game Name: F-14
Available: Yes/Normal
True Name: F-14 "Turkey" Tomcat
Function : carrier based long range interceptor
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 19.54 (smaller angle)
Lenght : 19.10
Height : 4.88
MTOW : 32.098
During the Vietnam War, the USN made a request for a new heavy
interceptor, to destroy the newer USSR bombers outside the range of
their huge nuclear anti-ship missiles - that is, 300+ km. The result
was the F-14, whose long range interception missiles - the big bad
AIM-54 Phoenix - were only recently beaten by the Russian R-37. 1 of
them was destroyed in the Gulf War by a Vietnam-era SA-2 "Guideline"
SAM. The nickname may look nonsense for such a big and beautiful A/C,
but if you see one of them landing, you'll notice that the large
wings (at a small sweep angle) and the high landing gear give the
F-14 a strange look, resembling a turkey running! Gobble, gobble!!
Even better than the MiG-29; if you have already bought the
Fulcrum, forget the Tomcat.
Game Name: TND-F3
Available: Yes/Extra
True Name: Tornado F.Mk3
Function : Ground based long range medium interceptor
Origin : Multinational (UK, Germany & Italy)
Wingspan : 13.91 (smaller angle)
Lenght : 18.68
Height : 5.95
MTOW : 27.586
The Tornado was a joint European project for a long range
interdiction A/C, able to attack at low altitudes and supersonic
speeds, with high precision, even in N/AW conditions. It is one of
the only 2 modern fighters to have thrust reversor - the other is the
Viggen. Later, UK alone made an interceptor version, by increasing
its lenght in ca. 1.5 m, by changing the radar and equiping it with
Sky Flash MRAAMs. It was planned to replace the aging Phantoms and
Lightinings as UK's interceptors. It can also be used as a long range
escort A/C, due to its enormous combat radius. It also has awesome
operational ceiling and is one of the fastest A/Cs at low altitudes.
It has 1 gun, and the ground attack version has 2. Several Tornadoes
were destroyed in the Gulf and Kosovo Wars.
Almost equal to the F-14, same uses indeed. If you have the MiG,
forget the Tornado.
Game Name: R-M01
Available: Yes/Normal
True Name: Rafale M01
Function : Carrier based medium multirole fighter
Origin : France
Wingspan : 10.90
Lenght : 15.30
Height : 5.34
MTOW : 21.500
Just after the initial testings with the Mirage 2000, France
developed the Super Mirage 4000 (a 2 engine, 1.25x larger version of
the Mirage 2000) as the ACX. But the high prices killed the project.
Few years later, the EFA consortium was created, and France was in
it. However, the EFA would not be carrier-usable, because only France
had conventional carriers (and enabling an A/C to be carrier-usable
makes it heavier and more expensive). The French Navy was in a
desperate need for a carrier-based A/C, so France quit the EFA
consortium. Based on the Super Mirage 4000, they planned the ACT,
which drove to the Rafale (squall) ACF. Its composite wings cannot be
folded, but it can still be carrier-based. It is not as good as the
Typhoon - mainly due to the engines - but France is largely
independent of foreign weapons producers. Large Canard forewings.
I think it's useless...
By the mid 1980s, the original constructors of the Tornado began
to plan a new A/C, to replace it in the early 2000s. After several
political problems, the Eurofighter is slowly being produced. Despite
its conventional looking, it's, at least, as advanced as any modern
fighter - like Rafale, Gripen and Raptor. It has an IR/LRMTS in front
of the cockpit, and 2 huge Canard forewings. The planned export
version of the EF-2000 was first named Taifun (read typhoon, same
meaning), after the light German scout plane of WWII, but was later
named Typhoon, after the great UK attack fighter of that war.
For me, useless as the Rafale.
Game Name: MiG-31
Available: Yes/Extra
True Name: MiG-31 "Foxhound"
Function : Heavy interceptor
Origin : Russia
Wingspan : 13.46
Lenght : 22.69
Height : 6.20
MTOW : 46.200
By the early 1960s, USAF began testing on a new bomber, to
replace the B-52. It was planned to be a high altitude, high speed
A/C, and testings proved that it could fly at 24,000+ m height and
3,000+ kph speed. The XB-70 Valkyrie was a serious threat to the
USSR, and the Soviet government made a urgent request for a high
performance interceptor to destroy that dangerous bomber (the XB-70
was cancelled later). The result was the MiG-25 "Foxbat". It was the
1st operational jet fighter in the world with twin stabilisators and
to surpass the 3000 kph speed. Rumours in NATO were that it was a
superfighter, able to destroy any A/C available, and that was not so
wrong. To counter it, USAF urgently requested the F-X program, which
leaded to the F-15. But the MiG-25 was a dedicated interceptor, not a
dogfighter. When the Tomahawk and AGM-86 ALCM cruise missiles entered
service, USSR realized that they didn't have a missile/interceptor
combination for extreme ranges: the AIM-54 was a Mach 5 missile with
100+ km range, but the best Soviet missile, although also able to fly
at Mach 5 speeds, didn't pass the 70 km range. Also, the MiG-25
couldn't effectively "look and shoot down", which is a vital feature
against low altitudes/high speed attack planes (like the Tornado) and
cruise missiles. So, they made the MiG-31, basically a super-upgraded
version of the MiG-25. Today, the MiG-31 is the 2nd best long-range
interceptor (1st is Su-37), and the best in service. Also, it's the
fastest fighter flying today - over 3,000 kph. A most interesting
feature of the MiG-31: 4 of them can be controled in unisson by the
wing commander! This way, they form a 900+ km barrage against any air
targets!! Very cool indeed! In the Gulf War, an F/A-18C Hornet was
destroyed by a MiG-25. Rumours say that the effectiveness of the
MiG-31 forced the retirement of the SR-71.
Awesome climbing ability, low agility. You won't need this one.
Game Name: SF-39
Available: Yes/Extra
True Name: JAS-39 Gripen
Function : Light multirole fighter
Origin : Sweden
Wingspan : 8.40
Lenght : 14.10
Height : 4.50
MTOW : 12.473
Some years before the EFA request, Sweden made a request for a
new multirole fighter, to replace several models in their AF, like
the J-35, JA-37, AJ-37 and others. This new fighter should be lighter
and easier to mantain than its predecessors, yet able to carry the
same payload at longer distances. The result is the Gripen (griffon),
an excellent A/C, much lighter, cheaper and smaller than the EF-2000
and Rafale, yet able to carry the very same payload. It is already in
service in Sweden and in a close future will possibly fly in several
AFs. It doesn't have a thrust reversor like its predecessor, but the
insanely large Canard forewings made such a device useless.
Very cool fighter; its mobility is one of the very best of the
game, only slightly less than the XFA-27. Howerver, its low
resistence make it a poor fighter for stages with heavy air defenses.
You won't need her, but she's still a great baby.
Game Name: F/A-18D
Available: No
True Name: F/A-18C Hornet
Function : Carrier based medium multirole fighter
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 12.31
Lenght : 17.07
Height : 4.82
MTOW : 25.401
Just after the F-15 entered service, USAF made a request for
a LWF, just to know if it was possible to make a good fighter, less
expensive than the F-15. Two prototypes were to be availed: the YF-16
and the YF-17. The request suddenly changed to mass production
instead of evaluation only. The YF-16 was better for production than
the YF-17 and won the competition, being produced as the F-16. Soon
thereafter, the USN made a request for a LWF. The logical start point
were the two USAF LWF prototypes. But as the companies that made both
planes didn't have experience with carrier-based A/Cs, they joined
more experienced companies. The YF-16's weak structure and landing
gears would not be able to withstand the difficult carrier landings,
and a modified version of the YF-17 entered production as F/A-18. The
F/A-18 is the best aircraft ever used by the USN and USMC. It
completely and successfully replaced the A-4, A-6, A-7 and F-4 in
both corps, in the "Blue Angels" and the "Topguns", proving to be the
most versatile A/C ever deployed by USN and USMC. It is even more
versatile than the F-16, and the better design gives the F/A-18
(sometimes called only F-18; that's incorrect, however, because
hiddens the awesome attack capabilities of the A/C) many advantages
in comparison with the F-16: the twin-engine enhances survivability,
and the twin-stabilisators enhances controlability. The F/A-18 also
has a FBW, but not as complex as the F-16's, because the plane has
better stability, and maneuvers even better at low speeds - the most
usual in dogfights. It is being exported in good numbers.
Unavailable. Altough the game says that the fighter shown is the
F/A-18D - a two-seat version of the F/A-18 - the plane shown in the
Display is a single-seater, and the modern single-seat F/A-18 is the
C version.
Game Name: F/A-18E
Available: Yes/Normal
True Name: F/A-18E Super Hornet
Function : Carrier based heavy multirole fighter
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 13.62
Lenght : 17.07
Height : 4.66
MTOW : 29.937
One of the reasons that caused the YF-17 to loose the USAF LWF
request, and a serious problem of the F/A-18A/B/C/D is the low fuel
capability, which results in a small combat radius. Combined with the
end of the XFA project, this factor leaded to the Super Hornet
(sometimes referred as Hornet 2000, but that is unofficial). It is
based (as the name proves) in the normal Hornet, but with larger
wings and fuselage. The new air intakes solved 2 other problems: 1)
allowed the A/C to reach Mach 2 and 2) reduced the RCS. The Super
Hornet is just entering service in USN and USMC, and is a big update,
with much better N/AW attack capabilities.
An excellent plane, the same case of the SF-39: you don't need
it, but it's a cool fighter anyway.
Game Name: F-15E
Available: No
True Name: F-15E "Beagle" Eagle
Function : Heavy multirole fighter
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 13.05
Lenght : 19.43
Height : 5.63
MTOW : 36.741
After the bad experiences in Vietnam and the rumors about the
MiG-25, the USAF requested a new fighter, the F-X, with better
performances than the F-4 yet more agile than the MiGs. The winner
of the F-X request was the F-15 Eagle. For 10 years, before the Su-27
enter in service, the Eagle was the premier fighter in the world, and
still is the modern fighter with better air to air results. In the
mid 1980s, the F-15E - an upgraded version of the two-seater F-15B
Eagle - won the USAF competition for a new attack fighter, to replace
the aging F-111. It has a newer radar, and is equipped with the
LANTIRN, which enables the "Strike Eagle" to be as good in ground
attack as the F-111. The "Beagle" (bomber eagle) was just beginning
its service life when the Gulf War started. It performed awesome
feats there, so good that some F-15Is and F-15Ss were sold - they are
downgraded versions of the "Beagle" for Israel and Saudi Arabia,
respectively. It seems that 2 were lost in the Gulf War and some more
in the Kosovo War.
Unavailable.
The fighter is ficticious, because the true F-15S looks like
the F-15E. The F-15S of the game resembles the SMTD plane. It
demonstrated new technologies for the future fighters, and had 2 big
Canard forewings. But unlike the AC2's F-15S, the F-15 SMTD doesn't
have the wings, tailplanes and engine nozzles of the F-22.
Excellent plane. Use it until you can buy the XFA-27.
Game Name: Su-35
Available: Yes/Normal
True Name: Su-35 "Super Flanker"
Function : Heavy multirole fighter
Origin : Russia
Wingspan : 14.70
Lenght : 21.935
Height : 5.932
MTOW : 33.600
In 1969, the Su DB won a governmental contract to design a long
range interceptor that would be superior to Western jet fighters and
would replace several Soviet fighters already in service. This new
A/C had to surpass even the F-14 and F-15 - and it did. The Su-27
"Flanker" has better engines, better aerodynamic design, carries
better weapons and radar. It entered service 1 or 2 years after the
MiG-29, but that was due to the slower development of its far more
advanced avionics. The collapse of the USSR caused the best fighter
in the world to be produced in small numbers. Several upgraded
versions were planned. One of them is the single-seat Su-35, with
better avionics, radar, "true" FBW and Canard forewings. It is far
better than the US F-15E, and has better multirole capabilities. The
limiting factor of the F-15E's missions is the pilot's physical
conditions. The plane doesn't have a food heater, nor a waste
disposal system (the Su-35 has both), which makes the pilot's life
more difficult in long time operations: due to the long range of
these heavy A/Cs, the missions can be as long as 8 hours, limited
only by the pilot's conditions. The Su-35 carries so much fuel
internally that it won't need external fuel tanks, while the F-15
is rarely seen wihtout'em. Its engines are far better than the
American fighters', specially in regard to the disturbed airflow
during harsh maneuv situations.
BEST Normal A/C. Nuff said.
Game Name: Su-37
Available: No
True Name: Su-37 "Terminator"
Function : Heavy multirole fighter
Origin : Russia
Wingspan : 14.70
Lenght : 22.18
Height : 6.43
MTOW : 34.000
Upgraded version of the Su-35, with TVC and up-to-date avionics
and radar.
Unavailable. *sob*
Game Name: YF-23A*
Available: Yes/Both
True Name: YF-23A Black Widow II
Function : ATF prototype
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 13.27
Lenght : 20.54
Height : 4.74
MTOW : 29.000
When US discovered about the last Russian superfighters (Su-27
and MiG-29), they planned the ATF to counter them. It would be a
Stealth Warplane, with supercruise capability, very long range and
agility. Two A/Cs reached the finals: the YF-23A and the YF-22A. The
YF-23A lost the competition - mainly due to agility, inferior to the
F-22's due to the TVC of the latter. Only 2 prototypes were built. It
was proposed a carrier version of the ATF, currently stalled. Maybe
the YF-23 isn't dead yet - remember the YF-17? It reborn as the
awesome F/A-18!! Why can't it happen again?
Excellent Stealth Warplane, but you won't need it. The Su-35
and F-15S are better.
Game Name: F-22*
Available: Yes/Normal
True Name: F-22 "Raptor" Lightining II
Function : ATF
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 13.56
Lenght : 18.92
Height : 5.00
MTOW : 24.950
The F-22 won the ATF competition. Its service conditions have
been changed several times, due to the HUGE costs involved - a single
F-22 costs over US$ 250,000,000 - nearly the price of 13 F-16s! Not
even the USAF can afford too many of them. If it works properly (the
program is having several problems) it will be an awesome fighter,
but ground attack ability is low. It is a rapine bird, a raptor,
hence its nickname.
Good, but useless as it is no better than the Su-35.
I don't know much about the XFA program, but this seems to be
based in the initial conceptions of the XFA (cancelled by 1993).
The BEST A/C you can buy in the WHOLE game. Needless to say
more.
Game Name: ADF-01*
Available: No
True Name: *N/A*
Function : N/A
Origin : USA?
Wingspan : N/A
Lenght : N/A
Height : N/A
MTOW : N/A
Seems to be an SFW version of the XFA-27.
Unavailable. *sob*
Game Name: B-52
Available: No
True Name: B-52 "BUFF" Stratofortress
Function : Strategic bomber
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 56.39
Lenght : 49.05
Height : 12.40
MTOW : 221.353
By the mid 1950s, the "BUFF" (Big, Ugly, Fat F****r) entered
service, and works until our days. It was one of the best bombers
ever built, but the RCS and IRCS are huge. It has astonishing combat
range and huge bomb load, but is a sitting duck for modern air
defenses and fighters. It suffered heavy losses in the Vietnam War,
and it seems that 1 was destroyed in the Kosovo War.
Unavailable
Game Name: XB-70
Available: No
True Name: XB-70 Valkyrie
Function : Strategic bomber prototype
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 32.0
Lenght : 14.66
Height : 9.1
MTOW : 221.794
Planned in the early 1960s, it was a Mach 3, high altitude
bomber, to replace the B-52 as a deep attack bomber. Altough it was
the 2nd fastest bomber ever (1st was Su DB's T-4), it would be as
easy to kill as the B-52, if faced the newest Soviet SAMs, specially
due to its immense IRCS and RCS. A fatal accident, combined with the
low survivability, impossibility to fly low altitude/high speed
missions and the astonishing costs killed the XB-70 programme.
Unavailable.
Game Name: B-1B
Available: No
True Name: B-1B "Bone" Lancer
Function : Strategic bomber
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 41.67 (smaller angle)
Lenght : 44.81
Height : 10.36
MTOW : 216.365
The AMSA project, of the early 1970s, was meant to replace the
B-52. After almost 20 years of changes and cuts in budget, the B-1B
finally entered full service in USAF by 1993. It can double the
payload of the B-52, and can fly much better in low altitude. It is
one of the best bombers ever, with the same RCS of the F-16. The
nickname: B-one (B-1), read "bone".
Unavailable.
Game Name: B-2*
Available: No
True Name: B-2 Spirit
Function : Strategic Stealth bomber
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 52.43
Lenght : 21.03
Height : 5.18
MTOW : 152.633
By the end of the 1940s, a huge Delta bomber, the YB-49, was
built. It had minimal RCS, but was almost impossible to control.
Decades later, the FBW technology allowed such a bomber to be
controlled normally. The B-2 was the winner of the ATB concept: a
Stealth, strategic bomber, to make deep attacks within USSR. The
collapse of USSR almost killed the B-2, and only 20 will be built.
The main reason of so few B-2s: it is the most expensive A/C ever,
costing US$ 2,200,000,000+ a piece!!! :o Rumours say that one was
destroyed in the Kosovo War.
Unavailable.
Game Name: XB-10*
Available: No
True Name: *N/A*
Function : *N/A*
Origin : USA?
Wingspan : N/A
Lenght : N/A
Height : N/A
MTOW : N/A
Ficticious Stealth bomber.
Unavailable, but the strongest target of the game - 6 missiles
are required to kill it!
Game Name: C-5
Available: No
True Name: C-5 Galaxy
Function : Strategic airlifter
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 67.88
Lenght : 75.54
Height : 19.85
MTOW : 379.657
This was, for about 15 years, the largest A/C of the world.
When the An-124 entered service, and then the An-225 prototype (only
one built), it was then settled as the 3rd. Its service life is near
the end, and the C-17 (and others) will most likely replace it.
Unavailable.
Game Name: C-17
Available: No
True Name: C-17 Globemaster III
Function : Heavy tactical/strategical airlifter
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 52.20
Lenght : 53.04
Height : 16.79
MTOW : 263.083
The C-17 was planned to replace the C-141 Starlifter and some of
the C-5s of the USAF. After a long development, with technical and
political problems, it is now fully in service. Excellent airlifter,
able to carry almost the same load of the C-5 yet able to operate in
smaller and rougher runways.
Unavailable.
Game Name: E-767
Available: No
True Name: E-767
Function : AWACS
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 77.57
Lenght : 48.51
Height : 15.85
MTOW : 172.350
When USSR put the "Moss" - a modified version of the "Bear"
strategic bomber - in service, USA realized they needed an AWACS
programme, and they built several models. The latest for JSDAF is
the E-767, based on the Boeing 767 airliner. Its huge "mushroom"
radar can track over 600 A/Cs at distances over 400 km. This
marvelous plane can also be equipped with a jamming device, for
self-protection or to protect friendly A/Cs.
Unavailable.
Game Name: SR-71
Available: No
True Name: SR-71 Blackbird
Function : Strategic recce
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 16.94
Lenght : 32.74
Height : 5.64
MTOW : 77.111
By the early 1960s, along with the XB-70, a high performance
interceptor was planned, the YF-12. Unfortunately, it was cancelled,
but some improvements took to the amazing RS-71 Blackbird. When the
US President Lyndon Johnson announced it, he spelled SR-71 Blackbird,
and the plane was called this way from that day on. The fastest plane
ever (officialy admited, of course) was also the 1st Stealth and
titanium-made A/C. It is not completely Stealth due to some parts -
like the air intakes - that could not be built with RAM in the time
it entered service, by the mid 1960s. Altough able to fly at over
3,600+ kph / 27,000+ m altitude (unofficial data say 28,000+), it
would be a sitting duck to modern Russian missiles - for the S-300PMU
(SA-10 "Grumble") Russian SAM, for example, speeds of 7,000+ kph and
heights of 30,000+ m are piece of cake! :o There are more problems
with the SR-71: its service cost is $200,000+ / hour of flight!!
And the big bad MiG-31 can easily intercept it(!). These reasons
caused the retirement of the SR-71, but no other plane in the world
can match the speed of the Blackbird.
Unavailable.
Game Name: Mil-24
Available: No
True Name: Mil Mi-24 "Hind"
Function : Gunship
Origin : Russia
Wingspan : 17.30
Lenght : 21.35
Height : 5.47
MTOW : 11.800
The "Hind" was one of the first "gunships". It was not meant as
a tank killer, but as a CAS helicopter. It is the most armoured A/C
ever, and has excellent weapons. It can carry up to 8 men, being an
excellent A/C for infiltralting "special forces". It's one of the
fastest helicopters ever, an excellent "flying artillery" chopper,
although not very agile at low speeds; this makes it a poor tank
killer. It was very widely used in the Afghan War, and hundreds were
lost there, due to accidents and war losses.
Unavailable
Game Name: AH-64
Available: No
True Name: AH-64 Apache
Function : Anti-tank helicopter
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 14.63
Lenght : 17.76
Height : 4.66
MTOW : 9.525
The Apache was the first true anti-tank helicopter. It has very
advanced sensors for tank killing, and its Hellfire missile is a good
tank killer. It was not designed as a gunship, so the agility at low
speeds/altitudes are more important than the top speed. Several were
destroyed in the Kosovo War.
Unavailable.
Game Name: RAH-66*
Available: No
True Name: RAH-66 Comanche
Function : Recon/scout/attack Stealth helicopter
Origin : USA
Wingspan : 11.90
Lenght : 14.28
Height : 3.39
MTOW : 7.790
The Comanche is the first Stealth helicopter. Although not as
fast as an Apache, it is far more agile. It was specially meant to be
a "scout", that is, an FAC chopper, leaving most of the attacks to
the Apache and other A/Cs.
Unavailable.
If you want more data on aircrafts, feel free to e-mail me.
8 - Abbreviations
No one likes more of abrreviations than the military... here are
those used in this FAQ.
AAA - Anti-Aircraft Artillery
AAM - Air to Air Missile
A/C - aircraft
ACF - French shorts for Future Combat Aircraft
ACT - French shorts for Tactical Combat Aircraft
ACX - French shorts for eXpreimental Combat Aircraft
ADF - Air Dominance (Defense?) Fighter
AF - Air Force
AIM - Air Intercept Missile (US designation of AAM)
AL - Absorption Level (related to RCS)
ALCM - Air Launched Cruise Missile
Alpha - same as AOA
AMRAAM - Advanced MRAAM
AMSA - Advanced Manned Strategic Aircraft
An - Antonov
AOA - Angle Of Attack
ATB - Advanced Technology Bomber
ATF - Advanced Tactical Fighter
AWACS - Airborne Warning and Air Control System
A-X - Attack-eXperimental
BVR - Beyond Visual Range
BVRAAM - BVR AAM
CAGI - Russian shorts for Aerospace Research Institute (now TsAGI)
CAS - Close Air Support
DB - Design Bureau
EFA - European Fighter Aircraft
FAC - Forward Air Controller
FEBA - Forward Edge of Battle Area
FBW - Fly-By-Wire
FSX - Fighter/Strike eXperimental
F-X - Fighter-eXperimental
GAU - Gun, Air Unit
GBU - Guided Bomb Unit
G-LOC - G-forces-induced Loss Of Consciousness
HUD - Head-Up Display
IAI - Israel Aircraft Industry
ICE - Improved Combat Equipment
IR - Infra-Red
IRCS - IR Cross Section
JSDAF - Japan Self Defence Air Force
m - meter (ca. .3281 feet)
kg - kilogram (ca. 2.205 lb)
kph - kilometer per hour (ca. .5379 knot)
LANTIRN - Low Altitude Navigation/Targeting IR for Night
LERX - Leading Edge Root eXtensions
LRMTS - Laser Range-finder and Marked Target Seeker
LWF - Light Weight Fighter
MANPADS - MAN Portable Air Defense System (shoulder-fired SAMs)
MATV - Multi-Axis TVC
MiG - Mikoyan & Gurevitch
Mil Mi - Mikhail Mil
MRAAM - Medium Range AAM
MTOW - Maximum Take Of Weight
N/AW - Night/Adverse Weather
RAF - Royal Air Force (UK)
RAM - Radar Absorbing Material
RCS - Radar Cross Section
rpm - rounds per minute
SAM - Surface to Air Missile
SAR - Search And Rescue
SMTD - STOL and Maneuvers Technology Demonstration
ton - metrical ton (1000 kg or 2,205 lb)
TsAGI - Russian shorts for Aerospace Research Institute
TVC - Thrust Vector Control
V/STOL - Vertical/Short Take Of/Landing
SEAD - Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses
SFW - Swept Forward Wing
SLBM - Submarine-Launched Balistic Missile
SSBN - Strategic Submarine Balistic Nuclear
Su - Sukhoi
USAF - United States Air Force
USMC - United States Marine Corps
USN - United States Navy
XFA - eXperimental Fighter/Attack
Yak - Yakovlev
If I missed anything, please e-mail me.
9 - Questions & Answers
Well, I'll put here the questions that I think that will be the
most common. As more questions come, I'll put them here.
01) What is AOA?
02) What is a "Stealth Warplane"? Are they "invisible" to radars?
03) What is the SFW concept?
04) What are the Canard forewings?
05) What is TVC (and MATV)?
06) What is CAS?
07) Who are the "Blue Angels" and the "Thunderbirds"?
08) What is jamming?
09) What is the HUD?
10) How do A/Cs fly?
11) What is stall?
12) What is Mach?
13) What are the G-forces?
14) What is LERX?
15) What is afterburner?
16) What determines the agility?
17) What is BVR combat? Which weapons are used in them?
18) Is it true that the F-15E has better payload than the Su-35?
Q.01: What is AOA?
A.01: AOA is the angle that the fighter's nose makes with the
straight flight direction. Most planes are hard to maneuver with an
AOA of 20 degrees or so, but some planes may be controlled (for some
instants) in very high alpha - the Russian Su-27 reachs the highest
alpha of current aircrafts, ca. 120 degrees, for 3 sec..
Q.02: What is a "Stealth Warplane"? Are they "invisible" to radars?
A.02: Stealth technology has been, for almost 20 yars, THE top
secret of the military aviation, specially in U.S. Just after WWII
(the first war where the radar was used in large scale), it was
observed that some A/Cs had smaller RCS than others. It was soon
discovered that several factors have influence in the the RCS of a
A/C. Vertices, rect (90 degrees) angles and metal w/out painting, for
example, are excellent reflectors, rsulting in a high RCS. So, shape
and materials do have a big influence in the RCS of an object. That's
why a 3-ton truck - with its several rect junctions, vertices and
metal structures - may have twice the RCS of a Jumbo Jet! And a B-2
bomber, with its curves, RAM coating, no vertices - has the same RCS
of a seagull!! Stealth may also refer to IRCS. Some of the most
advanced military A/Cs flying (or being developed) today are, in some
manner, Stealth, for Radar and/or IR. Stealth technology, however, is
too expensive, so not all air forces may have Stealth A/Cs (or
weapons) so soon. Most current warplanes adopt certain measures to
reduce RCS and/or IRCS, but in a level very small to be called a
Stealth Warplane, although improving combat capabilities in a great
deal. The Italian/Brazilian AMX, for example, has both RCS and IRCS
very small. In the Kosovo War, it proved to be vital, as NO AMXs were
hit nor lost!! Moreover, today's radar technology can detect Stealth
Warplanes - and if an A/C can be detected, it can be destroyed.
Q.03: What is the SFW concept?
A.03: The SFW concept was first tested (as the conventional
swept wings) by German scientists, just before the end of WWII. But
they did not have good results with SFW, due to the lack of light
but stiff materials in that time. The X-29, based in the F-5E light
multirole fighter, was built 40 years after WWII, in the mid 1980s,
to investigate the properties of the SFW design. A modern FBW was
used, as were used modern composite materials and large Canard
forewings. The SFW proved to be MUCH better than the conventional
wing, specially in high alpha. However, it causes excessive tensions
in the wingroots (the problem that Germany could not solve in 1944);
the TVC technology is better for maneuv, and still saves the
structure from excessive tensions. The SFW concept was reborn in the
modern Russian fighter S-37, from the Su DB. Another factor that US
scientists ignored: the SFW design also reduces the RCS of the A/C,
because the radar waves are reflected back to the A/C and scattered!
The Su DB scientists didn't ignore it, and the S-37 is currently the
most advanced A/C flying, and one of the stealthier ones.
Q.04: What are the Canard forewings?
A.04: They are small wings, located in front of the main wings.
They may be mobile or fixed; in the newer A/Cs, they are mobile and,
in the latest they are independent - that is, if one moves up, the
other may move down. They are used to move back the incoming airflow,
generating vortex - that improves lift. This is very important,
specially for high alpha maneuv and take of/landing. The last
generation of fighters have mobile Canards, independent in most
cases.
Q.05: What is TVC (and MATV)?
A.05: TVC means that the vector of the air flow that gives
thrust may be controlled. Usually, the engine's nozzle may be moved.
If the nozzle can be moved in several different directions - not just
up/down - the TVC is called MATV. The X-31, F-16 MATV, F/A-18 MATV
all have MATV capabilities, while the F-22 has 2D TVC, and Su-30MKI
has 1D TVC. The Harrier's TVC is different: The nozzle angle variates
in relation to the A/C's AOA, and it's not as useful for maneuv as
the X-31's MATV. The function of TVC in the Harrier is to allow
V/STOL, not for maneuv - although Harrier's pilots have successfuly
used it for dogfights.
Q.06: What is CAS?
A.06: CAS is the mission of supporting allied ground units. That
means attacking the enemy's ground forces, to destroy or stop an
enemy's attack. "True" CAS means to stay on the attack for as many
time as possible, distinguish enemy and allied forces, and then fire.
There are only 2 modern airplanes able to execute "true" CAS: the
A-10 and the Su-25. Both can fly close to enemy forces by 1 hour or
more. "False" CAS may be executed for fighters unable to fly for long
periods at low speeds: F-16, MiG-29, F/A-18... they are able to make
only 1 or 2 attacks and then leave. Moreover, CAS missions ave very
dangerous because the plane has to fly too close from the enemy,
getting in range of air defenses. The A-10 and the Su-25 are armoured
and can withstand damage enough to destroy any multirole plane.
Helicopters are good for CAS, but they don't have as much firepower
as the Su-25 or the big bad Avenger of the A-10. Unfortunately for
ground forces, no Army today has its own tactical aviation with
modern jets; as both A-10 and Su-25 aren't fighters, no Air Force is
interested on them, and the soldiers don't have such a good backup...
Q.07: Who are the "Blue Angels" and the "Thunderbirds"?
A.07: The "Blue Angels" are the USN acrobatic team; their planes
are deep sea blue with yellow details. The "Tunderbirds" are the USAF
acrobatic team; their planes are in the colors of the USA flag, with
a big thunderbird (a mystical bird) in the back.
Q.08: What is jamming?
A.08: When EM (ElectroMagnetic) waves (radio waves, visible light,
IR, ultraviolet, microwaves, etc.) reach an object, they are
reflected or absorbed. The radio waves used by the radars are of EM
nature. One way to confuse the enemy's radars is the jamming. False
"pulses" (designations of reflected radio emissions) are generated by
jamming equipment, making it hard to distinguish true pulses from
false, but technology will soon find a solution. Whenever a new
technology appears, another one appears to counter it, so the
equilibrium is kept. E.G.: first, came the tanks. Then, the anti-tank
weapons. Then, new armors. Then new anti-tank weapons, and so on.
Q.09: What is the HUD?
A.09: The HUD is a sort of a TV panel, located at about the same
height of the pilot's eyes. It can display several important data, so
the pilot won't have to look down and search in the instruments the
desired info. Helmet-mounted sights (and displays) will hopefully
replace HUDs in a close future.
Q.10: How do A/Cs fly?
A.10: When a curved surface gets in an airflow, the air flows
faster in the curved side than in the plain one. This leads to a
smaller airflow, and a resulting smaller pressure. Then, due to the
difference between pressures, a force will appear, directed to the
smaller pressure (this is called the Coanda effect). Wings (and
rotors) are curved in the top side, while airfoils for high speed
cars are curved in the lower part, working as a wing upside down. But
to generate a force big enough to lift the A/C, the airflow has to be
average. It's easier in higher air densities/airspeeds. In an
airplane, the faster it goes the higher is the lift. In rotorcraft,
the higher the rotation the higher the lift. But there are
limitations: the airplane can't fly too fast, or the wing may break -
due to tension forces - and/or overheat - due to friction between the
air and the airplane. In rotorcraft, the problem is another. When an
object makes a circular movement, the speed increases as you get
farther from the center of the circle. If the rotortip speed becomes
supersonic, the efficiency is decreased. That's why the bigger the
rotor the slower they beat.
Q.11: What is stall?
A.11: Stall is a term widely used, and has several meanings.
Engine stall, or flameout, means the engine is inoperant - possibly
due to disturbed airflow or smoke. But stall usually means the A/C
has not enough lift to keep flying, mainly due to low airspeed
and/or high AOA. When it happens, the A/C will fall, and the stall
conditions last until the A/C reaches enough airspeed to generate
lift. Stall during a low altitude condition usually means crash. In
high altitudes, the lower air density results in smaller lift,
requiring a higher speed to fly. But the A/C can't just accelerate
forever, due to temperature increase in high speeds, originated in
the friction between the air and the fuselage. During a dogfight, the
low speeds combined to high alpha situations may lead to a stall.
This usually means the defeat of the careless pilot.
Q.12: What is Mach?
A.12: Ernst Mach was an important Austrian scientist. To honor
his memory, the sound speed was named Mach. The Mach number (Mach 1
or 1M or M1) depends, basically, on the material's density; the
higher the the density, the higher the sound speed. In sea level,
Mach 1 for air is about 1,200 kph; in water, it's over 4,000 kph, and
in steel is almost 20,000 kph. In higher altitudes, Mach 1 decreases
to about 1,000 kph or less due to the smaller density of the air.
Q.13: What are the G-forces?
A.13: As the A/C maneuvers, centrifugal accelerations appear. To
make it easier to express these accelerations, they used the Earth's
gravity, which is called 1 G. Positive G numbers indicate nose up,
and negative G indicate nose down. E.g.: 2 G indicate that the
current acceleration equals 2 times the Earth's gravity, so the
force needed to move the head doubles! Positive Gs pull the blood out
of the pilot's brain, and may cause uncosciousness (known as G-LOC)
if 9 G is sustained for 5+ sec. or momentary blindness (known as
blackout) if 4-8 G is sustained dor some time. Negative Gs push blood
into the brain, elevating the pressure in the eyes and brain itself.
This initially takes to a redout, but may rapidly cause the head's
veins to break and lead to the pilot's death or severe health damage.
The human body can, for these reasons, support far more positive Gs
than negative: the G-force range for humans is +9 / -3, for a few
seconds. Ejection seats generate up to 30 Gs, but for no more than
some milliseconds. Modern fighters can support 10+ Gs for relatively
long periods of time, so the limiting factor is the pilot, not the
fighter. Why fighter pilots and flight surgeons want to avoid G-LOC?
During G-LOC absolute incapacitation lasts 12 to 20 seconds and
relative incapacitation can take 3+ minutes!! Imagine what can happen
to the pilot in a real combat situation within that time!!
Q.14: What are LERXs?
A.14: LERXs are extensions, like a knife's blade, in the
junction wing/fuselage. They act just like the Canard forewings, but
are far more effetive due to the larger surface. They generate vortex
to increase lift, resulting in better agility and high-alpha control.
Q.15: What is afterburner?
A.15: The afterburner - or post-combustor, or reheat, or AB - is
a technique that burns fuel after the combustion chamber. This
generates a big volume of superheated air, vastly improving thrust -
sometimes doubling. However, the fuel consumption is far more
increased, in some times up to 12x. That's why the AB is only used
in difficult situations, like take off, tight turns etc..
Q.16: What determines the agility?
A.16: Several factors determine agility. To have a good agility,
the fighter needs LIFT and CONTROL. The main factors are:
a) G tolerance - the higher the A/C's tolerance to high acceleration
forces, the higher is the agility;
b) wide fuselage - generates lift;
c) LERX - generate vortex, that improves controlability, specially in
high alpha;
d) twin stabilisators - they produce better aerodynamics and are
lighter than a single huge stabilizator, like the Tornado's or F-16's
stabilisator's;
e) canard forewings - work as mini-LERXs;
f) TVC - for high AOA moves;
g) SFW - for improved lift at high alpha.
The wing load (A/C weight per wing surface ratio) is very important.
The smaller the wing load the better. But if the wing load is too low
(like on a sailplane), the fighter will be highly sensitive to
disturbed airflows, common on low altitudes, and if the wing is too
large, it needs higher resistance. This may lead to high weight,
which is unacceptable. The solution is to use composite materials or
find another way - LERX, for example. By no means high speed
maneuvers are vital in dogfights: the G-forces depend heavily on the
speed, so most dogfights occur in of 900- kph, 750+ kph is default.
The 1st A/C with all the improvements above is the Russian S-37.
Q.17: What is BVR combat? Which weapons are used in them?
A.17: BVR combats mean that you will destroy your enemy before
you can even spot him visually - that is, 20+ km away. It became a
reality only recently, although some visionaires could foresee this
type of combat nearly 50 years ago. But even today it is not very
usual, mainly due to political restrictions and to avoid accidents -
like incorrect identification of the "enemy", as happened to some
unhappy civilian A/Cs: an Airbus airliner of Iran Air was destroyed
by a USN RIM-66 Standard missile and a Boeing airliner was destroyed
by a Russian Su-15 "Flagon" fighter, both in the mid 1980s. Both A/Cs
invaded military airspace - pilot's error, according to the official
versions of both cases. Anyway, over 200 civilians were killed in
each one of the incidents. The preferred weapons today are active
radar guided missiles, such as the US AIM-120 Slammer (AMRAAM), the
French MICA, the Russian RVV-AE and the future Meteor BVRAAM, a
multinational missile developed in Europe.
Q.18: Is the F-15E's payload bigger than the Su-35's?
A.18: Depends on the point of view. The nominal (theoretical)
payload may be of 2 different types:
1) MTOW - (A/C's weight + fuel weight + ammo weight). This is the
case of the F-16, the AH-64 (the max payload depends on the ammo
for the Chain Gun) and the A-10 (the max payload depends on the
internal fuel and GAU-8 ammo). Remember that the MTOW depends on
several factors: local temperature, local height, flight height,
available runways, enemy defenses, maneuver demands, etc..
2) Maximum weight supported by the pylons (hardpoints for payload
carriage). The case of most Russian planes, F-15, etc..
In some cases, type 1 and 2 mix togheter to give practical payload.
Some people say that the F-16 can carry 9+ tons of payload, but I
really doubt that its pylons have such space/capability to carry that
much. Moreover, due to the poor operational range, most A/Cs (like
the F-15E) need to carry external fuel tanks, ocuppiyng weight and
space that could be used to carry weapons. For examle: the payload of
the F-15E, Tornado and the "Flanker" family are of the type 2. The
max payload is 11 ton for the F-15E, 9 ton for the Tornado and 8 ton
for the Su-35/37. But the Tornado rarely flies w/out 2 external fuel
tanks of 1.5 ton each (3 ton total) and the F-15E usually carries 1-2
tanks of ca. 2.3 ton each (ca. 4.5 ton total). So, the payload of the
Tornado goes down to 6 ton, and the F-15E down to 7.5 ton, both less
than the Su-35/37's 8 ton. Also, notice that the Tornado engines work
poorly on high altitudes and/or temperatures - the Tornado was
basically meant for low altitude flights in the cold Europe. During
the Gulf War, the payload of the Tornado was 3 ton(!), 1/3 of the
nominal max. Also, if enemy activity is intense, you need to have a
good maneuvering capability, hence a smaller payload.
10 - Acknowledgements
1 - Namco (http://www.namco.com)
This game rocks! Congratulations! Namco is a very long date
softhouse, producer of several cool games: Pac-Man, Galaga, Ridge
Racer and several others. Their games are of a very high level.
2 - GameFAQs (http://www.gamefaqs.com)
VGStrategies (http://vgstrategies.about.com)
Gamers Domain (http://www.gamersd.com)
PSX Codez (http://www.psxcodez.com)
Absolute PlayStation (http://www.absolute-playstation.com)
CheatStop (http://www.cheatstop.com)
Well, you wouldn't be reading this FAQ without them! They
have tons of cool FAQs, just search! My FAQs are only available for
FREE, and only in the above mentioned sites. If you got'em anyway or
anywhere else, e-mail me ASAP!
3 - Cecil-X (?)
I couldn't find you, but I LOVED your FAQ, and learned LOTS of
things with it. I wrote most of this FAQ before I read yours, but you
DO deserve credit here. If anyone knows Cecil-X's current e-mail,
please tell me. And if you, Cecil-X, is reading it, PLEASE e-mail
me. Congratulations for the excellent work!!
4 - Local Games Centers
I don't have money to own a PSX, so I couldn't play AC2
without'em! Thanks to Virtual Games (arcades/videogames center) and
Lucky Video (videos/videogames center). Thanks to lots of games
centers all around.
5 - Anna Paula @}-`-,---
Who? My girlfriend! She gives me all the love support I need.
6 - Friends
Friends are some of the best things you may have in life!
Thanks to all those who helped me when I was a newbie, and those who
help me today, as an average player. Some names (no order in
particular): F bio (owner of Virtual Games), Gaston, Robson, Jeffery,
Johnatan, Max, Ricardo, Marcos, Hugo, Norbert and Leandro.
I'm building a site about firearms and ammo, in Portuguese (our
official language, rather than Spanish), with my bud Marlon.
7 - Aviation freaks
Well, I'm one of them! Thanks for those who teached me what I
know today. Thanks to specialized press and for guys who make cool
sites. Some of them:
OFFICIAL SITES
Boeing
http://www.boeing.com
Awesome. THE largest A/C producer in the world, home of the F-15,
F/A-18, AH-64, co-producer of the F-22 and RAH-66, etc..
Lockheed Martin
http://www.lmco.com
Producer of the F-16 and co-producer of the F-22.
Saab
http://www.saab.se
Swedish. Home of the Gripen, Viggen and Draken, with English pages.
Northrop Grumman
http://www.northgrum.com
Home of the B-2 Spirit, F-14 Tomcat, X-29, YF-23...
British Aerospace
http://www.baam.bae.com/
Largest European (excluding Russian) A/C producer.
Embraer
http://www.embraer.com
Brazilian producer of A/Cs, with English pages.
Dassault
http://www.dassault-aviation.com/
France; home of Mirage 2000 and Rafale, with English pages.
Eurofighter
http://www.eurofighter.org
Home of the EF-2000 Eurofighter.
Sukhoi DB
http://www.sukhoi.ru
This site is growing - Sukhoi DB is THE most advanced A/Cs producer
in the whole world.
Federation of American Scientists - Military Analysis Network
www.fas.org/man/index.html
Awesome site, with tons of info on modern aircrafts & weapons
system of the world. Excellent source of info for US equipment, very
good source for equipment made outside the US.
PERSONAL SITES
Sukhoi Gallery
http://sukhoi.cjb.net
AWESOME info on Sukhoi planes!!! Don't miss videos and interview with
mr. Simonov, former CEO of the most advanced DB in the world!!! It
was updated with info on the MiG DB and some American aircrafts!!
Cooler still!!
Russian Aviation Museum
http://hep2.physics.arizona.edu/~savin/ram/
WOW! You will find TONS of info about Russian planes, from the early
cloth biplanes to the most advanced Stealth Warplanes of our days.
(had a bug with Netscape 4.5 and above, don't know if was fixed)
Watson's Military
http://canopus.lpi.msk.su/~watson/militair.html
Excellent site about Russian aviation, with pro-level info and pics.
Missile Index
http://www.index.ne.jp/missile_e/
Here you will find info on most missiles and guided bombs ever made,
including SLBMs and ICBMs. COOL!!
US Jets on the Web
http://www.ujw.org
This is for American aviation freaks. Tons of pics, info and links.
Venik's Home Page
http://www.aeronautics.ru
For serious, open minded only aviation freaks, with tons of info and
pics. Info on the NATO losses during Kosovo War.
Air Force Technology
http://www.airforce-technology.com
Interesting site, part of a network of technology - there are the
Army, Naval, Air Force, etc. Technology sites. Up to date info and
pics, don't miss them!!
8 - You, the reader!
I hope I could help you! Thanks for your patience and
confidence to read this FAQ. If you wanna know more about the
planes, e-mail me. It will be my pleasure to give you any info I
can.
If you think your name should be listed here, please e-mail me.
Thanks for reading!
ROliveira
renatohm99@yahoo.com
This document Copyright 2000,2001 by Renato Oliveira, solely.
