The MQ-99 is a combat UAV developed by the Erusean Air and Space Administration using technologies from North Osea Gründer Industries. Although it tends to appear less in the campaign than it's 101 brethren, it boasts a larger missile and flare payload and can be deployed from concealed cargo containers or launch sites to defend Erusean airspace.
Design[]
The MQ-99 is sleek but compact in design, closely resembling a traditional fighter jet but small enough to be transported in a container truck. It is capable of launching directly from containers, making it ideal for surprise attacks, point-defense of strategically important facilities, and fast deployment to locations where traditional manned fighters are unable to take off and land.
The MQ-99 is highly agile, reportedly being capable of pulling turns up to 9 g's with relative ease. While not as advanced as the MQ-101s utilized by the Arsenal Bird, they are still a foe to be reckoned with. Their armament consists of an autocannon and a small internal weapons bay carrying air-to-air or air-to-ground missiles.
Like the MQ-101, the MQ-99 receives its agility at the cost of fragility; it only takes one missile or a short cannon burst to destroy it, so the drones rely on advanced flight maneuvers to avoid enemy fire.
History[]
The MQ-99s were developed using Belkan UAV technology by the EASA. Later heavily utilized by Erusea during the Lighthouse War, they served as a critical part of Erusea's early-war strategy.
In May 2019, Erusea shipped multiple containers of MQ-99s to Osea. After being remotely launched, the MQ-99s proceeded to attack Osean naval ports in Oured, Port St. Hewlett, Aulick, Bana City, and other locations, causing major damage to Osean naval forces.[2]
On May 17, 2019, five MQ-99s were launched to engage the Golem and Mage Squadrons over the Scofields Plateau, but were shot down. On June 6, 2019, MQ-99s were dispatched to the International Space Elevator to prevent Vincent Harling's escape, where Golem and Mage Squadrons intercepted and shot them down.[3][4]
On July 4, 2019, MQ-99s were deployed to Roca Roja in order to defend the Erusean base from Osean attacks.[5] They were also deployed eight days later over Yinshi Valley in an effort to shoot down reconnaissance squadrons Cyclops and Strider, but were shot down by Spare Squadron.[1]
Following the Yinshi Valley operation, the Spare Squadron bombed an Erusean oil facility and oil tankers escaping in a sand storm during Operation Three of a Kind. MQ-99s later entered the airspace and engaged the squadron, forcing them to deal with drones whilst trying to find the tankers. Some MQ-99s hid within the sandstorm, hiding them from radar, and then launched surprise attacks from within the whirling sand.[6]
MQ-99s were not observed again until Operation Gorgon on October 1, 2019, where rogue unmanned EASA F/A-18Fs overwrote the commands of stationary units, thereby launching them and engaging Strider Squadron. All drones were ultimately shot down in the battle.[7]
Erusean radicals also deployed MQ-99s during the battle at Tyler Island against Erusean conservatives and Oseans. Osean reinforcements shot down all of the MQ-99s.[8]
Game Analysis[]
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown[]
How to Unlock
- This aircraft is not available to the player.
Gallery
MQ-99s launching from trucks
An MQ-99 in a container truck
MQ-99s preparing for launch at Scofields Plateau
MQ-99s flying to defend Roca Roja
Trivia[]
- The MQ-99's design appears to be a modification of the real-life EADS Barracuda.
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Mission 07: "First Contact", Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
- ↑ Cutscene 02: "This Means War", Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
- ↑ Mission 02: "Charge the Enemy", Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
- ↑ Mission 04: "Rescue", Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
- ↑ Mission 06: "Long Day", Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
- ↑ Mission 08: "Pipeline Destruction", Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
- ↑ Mission 16: "Last Hope", Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
- ↑ Mission 17: "Homeward", Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.