The F-35C Lightning II (F-35 Lightning II in handheld titles) is a stealth multirole aircraft. It made its debut in Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War and has made subsequent appearances since.
The F-35C is the carrier-capable version of the F-35. It features larger, folding wings; reinforced landing gear; an arresting hook; and the standard machine gun mounted externally in a stealth pod (same approach used with the F-35B) rather than internally like the F-35A.
History[]
Strangereal[]
Compared to its carrier stablemates like the F-14 and F/A-18, the F-35C has seen limited operations throughout the various conflicts of Strangereal. However, the aircraft possesses stealth technology like the F-22A Raptor and also offers high agility which favorably compares to newer fighters. It is unknown when the F-35C was introduced or if it predates the F-22, but the earliest examples were sighted during the 1995 Belkan War.
F-35Cs were utilized by the Belkan Air Force against the Allied Forces on multiple occasions throughout the Belkan War.[1]
A sole F-35C saw action, operated by the Usean Rebel Forces, during the 1998 Usean coup d'état. The pilot was the ace "Superfly".[2]
F-35Cs operating from the Scinfaxi were used to combat Osean forces in the 2010 Circum-Pacific War. All were destroyed by the OADF's Wardog Squadron. These YAF airframes sported a dark blue splinter camo.[3]
During the Lighthouse War, the Erusean Air Force also utilized F-35Cs during Operation Giant's Step. The Conservative faction used one F-35C as a bomber escort in Operation Reflux. One of the EAF's aces, First Lieutenant Olivier Perrin, was escorting the bombers with this plane when he was shot down by Trigger. The Osean Air Defense Force also had access to the aircraft, most notably used by Salamander Squadron during the last stages of the war.
By 2020, additional aircraft were operated by Leasath, sporadically combating Aurelian forces.[4]
Joint Assault universe[]
An F-35C was used by the Valahia during the Golden Axe Plan. The pilot was the ace "Vulcan".[5]
Game Analysis[]
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown[]
- "A multirole aircraft with stealth capabilities, the C-model is a carrier-based aircraft used by the navy. Developed in the JSF (Joint Strike Fighter) program, it can take on the role of various craft and is capable of more than just aerial combat. Its nickname is "Lightning II"."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- The F-35C is available on the Aircraft Tree and costs 840,000 MRP. It requires purchasing one of the following aircraft: the F/A-18F Super Hornet, the Typhoon, or the Rafale M.
Statistics
Weapons
Part Slots
- BODY: 32
- ARMS: 32
- MISC: 32
Named Pilots
- Olivier Perrin (MANTIS)
Skins
- Osea: Standard dark grey
- Erusea: Tan/brown/light grey Israeli-based camouflage (Unlocked by earning the "Silver Ace" medal: Shoot down 100 aircraft in Multiplayer modes.)
- Special: Cyan blue body with black trim and blue vertical stabilizers; based on the CF-01 prototype. (Unlock: Shoot down MANTIS)
- Mage: Osea skin with Mage Squadron markings.
- Spare: Osea skin with Spare Squadron markings.
- Strider: Osea skin with Strider Squadron markings.
Gallery
Hangar view
An Osean F-35C about to take off from an aircraft carrier
An Osean F-35C preparing to take off from an aircraft carrier
An Osean F-35C taking off
An Osean F-35C taking off
F-35C on a runway
F-35C on a runway (back view)
Cockpit view
An F-35C in an alternate paint scheme
Hangar view of Skin 01
Hangar view of Skin 02
Hangar view of Skin 03
Hangar view of Skin 04
Hangar view of Skin 05
Hangar view of Skin 06
Cockpit
Instruments
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy[]
- "A versatile and lightweight carrier-based stealth fighter featuring both air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete mission 19: El Dorado in Hard or Ace difficulty. Costs 124,000 credits.
Statistics
Weapons
Colors
- Color 1: Grey body
- Color 2: 3-tone gray camouflage
- Color 3: Air superiority grey
- Color 4: Black body
- Color 5: Cream white with orange nose
- Color 6: 3-tone blue camouflage
Named Pilots
- Superfly - Found in Final Countdown. Spawns with the XB-10s after destroying both waves of ships within 2 minutes.
Gallery
Superfly
Color 1
Color 2
Color 3
Color 4
Color 5
Color 6
Ace Combat: Joint Assault[]
- "A versatile and lightweight carrier-based stealth fighter featuring both air-to-air and air-to-ground attack capabilities."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete mission 5A: Capital Defense on Ace difficulty twice or complete multiplayer Joint Assault mission 19&20: Wrecking Ball on the second playthrough.
Statistics
Weapons
- STDM x180
- HACM x120
- LGWM x240
- HVWM x60
- Long-Range Air-to-Ship Missile x18
- Guided Penetration Bomb x24
- Quick Maneuver Air-to-Air Missile x22
- Stand-off Dispenser x25
Colors
- C01: Air superiority body
- C02: Three-tone gray camouflage
- C03: Blue splinter camouflage
- C04: JASDF ocean blue camouflage
- C05: Gray body with swirling lightning pattern
- C06: Plain white body
Named Aces
- Vulcan - Appears in Reprisal (21A). Spawns in the middle of the map when the two bombers are destroyed.
Gallery
Vulcan
Color 1
Color 2
Color 3
Color 4
Color 5
Color 6
Ace Combat Xi: Skies of Incursion[]
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception[]
- "A versatile and lightweight carrier-based stealth fighter featuring both air-to-air and air-to-ground attack capabilities."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete mission 11A: In Pursuit I. Costs 35,500 credits.
Statistics
Weapons
Colors
- Aurelia: Air superiority body
- Leasath: Three-tone gray camouflage
- Special 1: Blue splinter camouflage
- Special 2: JASDF ocean blue camouflage
Named Pilots
- Beacrux - Found in Time Limit. Spawns with the reinforcements after all gas has been neutralized quickly.
Gallery
Underside
Cockpit
Cockpit
Flyby
Flyby
Flyby
Flyby
Flyby
Flyby
An F-35C on the deck of an aircraft carrier
Beacrux
Aurelia color
Leasath color
Special 1 color
Special 2 color
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War[]
- "This versatile and lightweight carrier-based stealth fighter features both air-to-air and air-to-ground attack capabilities while maintaining a low production cost."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete campaign mission 14A: The Final Overture - Mars Strike Team. Costs 126,000 credits.
Statistics
- Speed: 68
- Mobility: 87
- Stability: 79
- Defense: 66
- Air-to-Air: 57
- Air-to-Ground: 91
Weapons
Colors
- Standard: Air superiority grey, based on X-35C livery
- Mercenary: Black body
- Soldier: Gray and green camouflage
- Knight: Forest green camouflage
- Special: Plain white body
Named Pilots
Gallery
Standard color
Mercenary color
Soldier color
Knight color
Special color
A Belkan F-35C during The Inferno
Spatz
Turm
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War[]
- "This versatile and lightweight carrier-based stealth fighter features both air-to-air and air-to-ground attack capabilities while maintaining a low production cost."
- ― Hangar
How to Unlock
- Complete campaign mission 16A: Desert Arrow. Costs 20,500 per plane.
Statistics
- Speed: 68
- Mobility: 87
- Stability: 79
- Defense: 66
- Air-to-Air: 57
- Air-to-Ground: 91
Weapons
Colors
- OS: Air superiority grey, loosely based on X-35A livery
- RZ: Black body
- YK: Blue splinter camouflage
Gallery
OMDF color in the hangar
Razgriz color in the hangar
An F-35C in Yuktobanian colors
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Trivia[]
- In games prior to Ace Combat 7, the F-35C lacks its Electro-optical target system (EOTS), has a different landing gear door, and its main gun is mounted internally despite the real gun being carried in a pod. The current model which has those features above, however, debuts in Ace Combat 7.
- In Ace Combat 7, the F-35C is shown to carry 2 additional AMRAAMs in its internal weapons bays than it is actually designed for in real life (the extra missiles are seen in the center of the weapons bays). Coincidentally, Lockheed Martin's "Sidekick" weapons bay adapter for the A and C variants of the Lightning II also features this addition.[6]
- In Ace Combat 7, for unknown reasons the F-35C has radar reflectors outfitted, which are usually used during training exercises or in civilian airspace to detect the stealth aircraft easier, or to mask a stealth aircraft's true potential.
References[]
- ↑ Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.
- ↑ Final Countdown, Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy.
- ↑ Front Line, Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War.
- ↑ Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception.
- ↑ Reprisal (21A), Ace Combat: Joint Assault.
- ↑ Adapter For F-35 Internal Carriage Of Six AIM-120 Missiles Is Progressing. The Drive. Published on March 24, 2023. Retrieved on March 25, 2023.