Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-26372030-20151206001252/@comment-10993019-20151207063301

Slight correction, the F-22A can indeed carry external dop tanks.

http://www.mikejamesmedia.com/modo_media/modo_wip/raptor_2015_upres/000_actual/f22_w_bear_07.jpg

I wouldn't rely too much on AC3's canocity, simulation or not. It was before Ace Combat 04 really established the concept of Strangereal so they could easily ignore part of AC3's world or story if need be.

As for timeline, I'd say we're probably sometime around 2025. We're closer to space elevators than we are to flying fortresses in real life so its feasible that they could have a space elevator in Strangereal by now, considering all the other technological advances.