ASF-X Shinden II

The ASF-X Shinden II (震電II, "Magnificent Lightning"), known simply as F-X during development, is an original forward-swept wing fighter aircraft featured in Ace Combat: Assault Horizon. The Shinden was designed by Shōji Kawamori, the co-creator of the famous Macross franchise.

History
In the year 2002, an incident took place in Japan, in which a number of unidentified aircraft penetrated national airspace without authorization. The consequences of the event resulted in the commissioning of the development of a next-generation support fighter, which was codenamed "ASF-X".

The development of the ASF-X aircraft proceeded in the years following the 2002 incident, and the aircraft made its first flight in August 2013. Christened "Shinden II" after the Kyushu J7W Shinden of World War II, it officially entered active service in 2019 with the armies of Japan and the United Kingdom.

Some time during the aircraft's development, the Japan Air Self Defense Force lieutenant Kei Nagase was selected as a test pilot for the aircraft.

Design
The ASF-X Shinden II is a next-generation fighter aircraft, combining an striking airframe design with the latest aviation technologies. As a result of Japan's unique geography, it was designed to undertake aircraft interception and air-to-ship attack duties.

The aircraft employs a forward-swept wing (FSW) design, a single intake mounted in the upper central section and a unique, two-tiered thrust vectoring engine. Similar to the older X-02 Wyvern, it makes heavy use of variable geometry technology. When the aircraft flies at high speed, the outer-canted vertical stabilizers fold inward to reduce air drag, and return to netural position once the speed is reduced.

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon
The ASF-X Shinden II is the first downloadable aircraft in Ace Combat: Assault Horizon. It was released on October 25th, 2011, costing 7.99$ in the Playstation Store and 640 MS Points in the Xbox Marketplace.

Classified as a multirole aircraft, the Shinden II is a high-performance fighter aircraft capable of engaging in both DFM and ASM. As a result of its sleek design and forward-swept wings, the aircraft has excellent maneuverability which when, combined with high speed and firepower, makes it a very effective aircraft in the hands of an skilled pilot.

The ASF-X's airframe is capable of changing its shape and the direction the rudders and wingtips face as the flight speed changes. Furthermore, it is outfitted with a unique tandem twin-engine design, with the lower engine (located further inside the aircraft) being capable of pivoting to provide VTOL capabilities. This engine design provides the fighter with unrivaled stability, allowing it to fly at very low speeds without stalling. In the situation of an engine stall, the Shinden II will act like a glider, as opposed to simply dropping out of the air. The thrust vectoring engine allows it to perform unique counter maneuvers, an example of which is using its lower engine to propel itself above and past a chasing enemy.

Due to its ridiculously positive statistics in every area with few drawbacks, as well as it being its first appearance, fans consider it the "Super fighter" of AC:AH.

Paint schemes

 * Color 1: Warwolf Squadron. Grey drab.
 * Color 2: Japan Air Self Defense Force water pattern.
 * Color 3: 19th Task Force "ACES" design (black with TF119 emblem in tail area)

Appearances in other media
The ASF-X will be featured in Ace Combat: Icarus in the Sky, a novel scheduled for release in March 28, 2012. A second book, "Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Master File" will be released within the same month by GA Graphic, which serves as an encyclopedia of sorts on the aircraft.

Trivia

 * The name "Shinden II" stems from the Kyūshū J7W1 Shinden, a World War II-era prototype fighter.
 * According to the lore of upcoming Ace Combat Assault Horizon Master File ASF-X Shinden II (to be released in mid-March 2012), the ASF-X is the name of the aircaraft in development for JASDF's next generation of fighters. The aircraft will later be renamed as F-3 Shinden II once it officially enters military service in 2019.