Anchorhead Raid

"Anchorhead Raid" is the second DLC mission in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. The player must destroy a large Erusean naval force at Anchorhead to prevent them from defending Farbanti and to prevent the Alicorn from joining with them.

"Anchorhead Raid" releases worldwide on October 23, 2019 and can be accessed within the "SP Mission" main menu option. Players can purchase this mission standalone for USD$4.99, JPY¥540, or regional equivalents, or purchase the Season Pass to access this mission and other DLC packs.

Briefing
Brig. Gen. Clemens: ''The Erusean military is gathering its remaining naval forces at Anchorhead Bay. Apparently, they're even bringing in ships from the mothball fleet. This is probably to reinforce their naval power in preparation for the showdown in Farbanti. We've received intel that the Alicorn will also be joining them.''

David North: ''From which source, Brigadier General? There's a possibility the Alicorn ' s former crew have been tasked with sabotage.''

Brig. Gen. Clemens: ''Your job is to analyze the enemy's weaponry. From now on, speak only when authorized... I don't hear a response.''

David North: May I be authorized to speak first, sir?

Brig. Gen. Clemens: ''When we're done, I'll be talking to your superiors. Here's your mission. LRSSG is to raid Anchorhead. Carry out air strikes on Anchor Bay to the north and Dakiouk Bay to the south, inflicting all possible damage. If we can strip the port of its naval functions, we can also prevent the submarine from joining forces.''

Wiseman: ''The area around Anchorhead is Erusean territory. To delay hostile detection, you will sortie in small numbers. And make your way in at super-low altitudes.''

Fencer: ''Small sortie, huh? Who's going?''

Wiseman: ''Count, Lanza, Húxiān, and Trigger. Four aircraft from Strider Squadron will be deployed.''

Lanza: ''Woah! Alright, I got this!''

Wiseman: ''To cover our lack of numbers, we're giving you plenty of opportunities to resupply. Look here. We've set up multiple return lines. Make full use of them to resupply and change armaments. Also, note that the enemy will not be able to mount a defense immediately after detecting you. Use this window to destroy high-threat targets. That should make things much easier for you.''

Brig. Gen. Clemens: It should also raise the survival rate.

Count: Survival rate, huh?

Brig. Gen. Clemens: ''The elements of surprise and resupplying are the key. Beyond that, I just need a couple of pilots who will stick to my orders. We don't need an ace to succeed. You got anything to say? Good.''

David North: Brigadier General.

Brig. Gen. Clemens: That is all.

Wiseman: David, go on.

David North: ''Let me share the career of Matias Torres, captain of the submarine Alicorn. Does anyone know how his people hailed him?''

Lanza: A bit unfair to provide us with next to no hints, don't you think?

David North: (chuckles) ''Fair enough. "The Hero of Comberth Harbor" is the answer. He was the captain of the battleship Tanager at the time of the Continental War. It led Aegir Fleet, the invincible armada. But when the fleet was destroyed at Comberth Harbor, so was his ship.''

Lanza: Yet he's the hero?

David North: ''He was able to bring most of his crew home with accurate damage control and precise evacuation orders. Then there's the accident with the Alicorn. Many believe that if they stay with him, they'll live. Transfer from surface to underwater is unusual. However, considering his skill and reputation, along with the fact that the Alicorn is no ordinary submarine, it all makes sense.''

Wiseman: ''It'll be a difficult mission to carry out with four aircraft. Still, I'd like to add one more to the mission conditions.''

Count: What, you wanna make it even harder?

Wiseman: ''I want a 100% survival rate for the sortie. Any other number and the mission will be considered a failure!''

Initial
The first part of the mission is a 15-minute Annihilation battle. The northern part of the map, Anchor Bay, has many ships and an Aegis Ashore. The southern part of the map, Dakiouk Bay, has no ships but houses many containers which spawn MQ-99s, as well as another Aegis Ashore. The player must reach the following score requirements to complete this stage:


 * Easy: 30,000
 * Normal: 35,000
 * Hard/Ace: 40,000

After about three minutes, Osean ground forces will begin to inform the player of enemy MV-22s leaving the battle area with high-ranking Erusean officials on board. They award high amounts of points, so the player should attempt to shoot them down whenever they appear. They are not mission-important and can be safely ignored.

After about seven minutes, an SLUAV enters the area. While initially harmless, the Alicorn eventually fires railgun shells from outside the mission area toward the SLUAV; the railgun shells detonate in mid-air and will harm the player if they are too close. More SLUAVs will continue to spawn throughout the rest of the mission. The player must evade the SLUAVs before the railgun shots arrive, or shoot down the SLUAVs before they arrive.

Mission Update
The second part of the mission is a battle against Mimic Squadron. Both Rage and Scream use ECM similar to "Unexpected Visitor"; if the player locks on to one of them, the player's radar and HUD will short out, breaking the lock temporarily. In addition, both Rage and Scream will continuously fire stealth missiles that do not trigger a missile alert immediately, making them harder to detect and dodge. SLUAVs will also continue to spawn as in the first part of the mission, but they have a limited number during this battle.

Depending on which pilot the player shoots down first, the other will become frenzied and fight the player more aggressively. The mission is completed once the player shoots down both Mimic aircraft.

Debriefing
Húxiān: You bastard...!

Wiseman: ''Húxiān, stand down! Sit!''

Lanza: Shit, my cola...

Brig. Gen. Clemens: ''The fleet at Anchorhead was eliminated and we've prevented the submarine from joining forces. The unidentified aircraft were shot down too. The mission was a complete success.''

Húxiān: Complete success, my ass!

Lanza: Brigadier General, it sure seemed like the bats knew you pretty damn well.

Brig. Gen. Clemens: ''You seem to be confused. Report in for a medical check. We'll decide if you're still fit for service based on the examinations.''

(quarreling ensues)

Brig. Gen. Clemens: ''Cut it...! That's enough! Get the MP!''

Edwards: ''He's right. Get the MP.''

Brig. Gen. Clemens: Vice Chairman Edwards of the Joint Chiefs of Staff!

Edwards: ''The Alicorn slipped into Anchorhead Bay after the mission was completed, using the confusion for cover. It resupplied quickly and escaped unharmed. Their goal was not to join forces. It was to resupply using the window we created by chasing away the Erusean forces. We did their bidding, albeit unknowingly. But the problem runs deeper than our lack of tactical acumen. Analyst North, explain for us.''

David North: ''Of the crew caught in the submarine accident, 330 men made it back alive. Of them, 300 are still in the sub today. Our intel has led to believe that some or all of the thirty men who left the sub are now working as agents for the Alicorn. Sabotage, espionage, cyber propaganda, dissemination of false intel... Brigadier General, do you recognize the name Edgar Saxon&mdash;or Zul, as he used to go by? He is a former member of the Alicorn's crew. And your source of intel.''

Edwards: ''You are a fool, Brigadier General Clemens. Not only that, the radio communications during the mission suggest that you are a traitor.''

Brig. Gen. Clemens: Sir, if you check with Lieutenant General Shepherd, you'll understand that this is all just a misunderstanding.

Edwards: ''The Lieutenant General claims you were responsible for handling all aspects of the mission....Now, let me say that again. Get the MP.''

Húxiān: ''No need for that. Piece of shit.''

Trivia

 * The music that plays during the fight against Mimic Squadron was previously featured in the "Open Fire" launch trailer for the main game, which was posted nine months before this mission released.