The Long-range Shock Wave Missile (LSWM) is an special weapon present in the Playstation Portable Ace Combat games. As implied by its name, it is a downsized version of the Shock Wave Ballistic Missile used by the Gleipnir heavy command cruiser.
Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception
In Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception, the Long-range Shock Wave Missile is an SP weapon available exclusively to the Fenrir. It is the first weapon available for the aircraft. The LSWM behaves like a normal air-to-ground missile when fired; upon impact, it detonates in a massive explosion of blue energy, annihilating any targets within the blast radius.
The weapon, as expected, is very effective, as its blast wave's size allows it to destroy whole ground battalions. An example of its effectivity is mission #02, "Out of the Fire", which can be instantly completed by firing a single missile at one of the C-5A transports in the runway. As a drawback, however, the Long Range Shock Wave Missile has the lowest ammo count of any weapon in the game, and indeed of Ace Combat history, possessing only two missiles. As well, not only does it have a very long reload time, the warhead will detonate in its signature explosion if it is not locked into a target.
In multiplayer, it is regarded as an overpowered weapon as a result of its destructive power.
An LSWM explosion
The explosion's energy beam
Ace Combat: Joint Assault
In Ace Combat: Joint Assault, the LSWM is an special weapon only compatible with the Fenrir and the GAF-1 Varcolac, the new original aircraft introduced in the game. The Varcolac carries three missiles, whereas the Fenrir's capacity is upgraded to four. The JA incarnation of the LSWM has seen a drastic "nerf", or reduction, of its capabilities: as a trade-off for the increased ammo capacity, the weapon's detonation shockwave has been reduced in size, roughly measuring to the size of the Spiridus.
The Spiridus II being struck with an LSWM
Trivia
- In Joint Assault, if a third-party cheat device is used in the mission "Grand Flight", the 767-200 carrying Andre Olivieri will gain the ability to use LSWMs.