Mission Update

A Mission Update is a common gameplay feature used in almost every Ace Combat game released to date.

Description[]

Mission Updates alter the objective of a mission the player is currently in the middle of, usually to fulfill a plot element. In some cases, it completely alters the original objective and focus of the mission. A Mission Update could also signal a change in the background music.

Appearances[]

The Northern Eye - After destroying the radar, the player must cross the Return Line.
Lifeline - After achieving 2000 points within the time limit, the player must cross the Return Line.
Deep Strike - After destroying the targets, the player must cross the Return Line by flying in the ravine and avoiding Stonehenge's attacks.
Shattered Skies - After achieving 800 points within the time limit, the player must destroy the bombers en route to the base.
Operation Bunker Shot - After achieving 2200 points within the time limit, the player must destroy the bombers en route to the central beach.
Stonehenge Offensive - After destroying Stonehenge, the player must shoot down Yellow 4.
Safe Return - After achieving 1300 points within the time limit, the player must destroy the fighters that appear.
Emancipation - After 10 minutes, a formation of six Tu-160 Blackjack bombers fly in. They must be destroyed.
Siege of Farbanti - After achieving 2100 points within the time limit, the player must destroy 5 members of the Yellow Squadron.
Megalith (mission) - After destroying all of the generators, the middle tunnel opens up, revealing the main ICBM at its end. Four other ICBMs are launched and can be destroyed for extra points.

Ace Combat 5[]

Main article: Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War/Missions

Ace Combat Zero[]

Main article: Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War/Missions

The Round Table - After flying over the mountains making up the Round Table, the player will be engaged by either Rot Team, Grun Team, or Indigo Team, depending on the player's Ace Style.
Diapason - After destroying all the targets in Directus, the player will be engaged by Gelb Team.
Merlon - After destroying all the targets, Excalibur will fire a laser at the Allied transport craft, and then fire at the player, until they cross a line at the bottom of the map.
Mayhem - After shooting down 15 or more planes, the player will be engaged by either Schwarze Team, Schnee Team, or Silber Team, depending on the player's Ace Style.
The Stage of Apocalypse - The player will be informed of an enemy bomber squadron equipped with nuclear weapons. After shooting them all down or letting them reach the southern point of the map, a nuke will go off. Belkan Su-27s will arrive. The player has to shoot them down to finish the mission.
The Talon of Ruin - Upon intercepting the XB-0 Hresvelgr, the player will be engaged by Espada Team.
The Demon of the Round Table - After crossing the mountains making up the Round Table, the player will be engaged by either Sorcerer Team, Gault Team, or Wizard Team, depending on the player's Ace Style.
The Valley of Kings - After arriving at Avalon Dam, the player will have to fly into the tunnels in the dam, and take out the V2 launch control modules in order to complete the mission.
Zero - After taking out the ADFX-02 Morgan's MPBM and TLS, Pixy will activate the craft's ECM defense system. The player will have to joust Pixy and fire missiles into his air intakes.

Ace Combat X[]

Main article: Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception/Missions

The Midnight Sun - After the Gleipnir's optical camouflage system has been destroyed, the player must then destroy it's SWBM ports before it reaches a high altitude and escapes.
Ice Bound - After the Naiad has surfaced due to a hull breach, the player must defend it from enemy bombers and destroy an iceberg before the Naiad collides with it.
Standoff in the Skies I - After all the Gleipnir's defenses are down, the Gleipnir will turn upside down to use it's Shock Cannon as a last resort. The player must destroy it to complete the mission.
Standoff in the Skies II - After the Gleipnir's optical camouflage system and SWBM ports have been destroyed. It will descend towards Santa Elva in an attempt to use the Shock Cannon on the city. The player must destroy the Shock Cannon to finish the mission.
Striking Point - After most hostile forces have been destroyed, a large number of enemy fighters will spawn and must be destroyed along with the remaining enemy forces.
Blitz - After bypassing the radar net, Sachana Air Base must be neutralised to complete the mission.
Break In - After destroying the 4 XC-01s, the Aurelian Liberation Corps will try to infiltrate the enemy facilities in an attempt to steal their weapons. Unaware that the factories have been rigged with explosives and mines, the player must destroy them before the ALC reaches them.
Wild Card - Once the ALC is inside Griswall and have locked the gates, the Skylla Unit will fire rockets towards the capital and must be destroyed. The SP Launchers can also be destroyed for additional points.
Offline - Once all satellites have been destroyed, the underground control facility remains and must be destroyed.
End of Deception I - After all Fenrirs have been destroyed, the Shock Cannon located in Archelon Fortress will be deployed and must be destroyed.
End of Deception II - After all Fenrirs have been destroyed, a Fenrir is about to take off from inside the hangar. The player must fly inside and shoot it down before it escapes. The player must then escape from the hangar to complete the mission.

Ace Combat 6[]

Main article: Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation/Missions

Ace Combat Infinity[]

"All units, priority level for the operation has changed. We now have an emergency mission."

― AWACS Sky-Eye

Rescue - After destroying the targets, the player must cross the Return Line by flying in the ravine and avoiding Stonehenge's attacks.
Stonehenge - After securing safety for the ground forces, the player must destroy the jamming towers and then the railguns themselves.
Far Eastern Front - The player must shoot down the QFA-44, the MQ-90Ls supporting it, and the Aigaion-class heavy command cruiser.

Outside of the Campaign, Online Co-Op Missions also feature Mission Updates. These initiate when all enemies on the map are destroyed or when three minutes have elapsed, whichever comes first. One of the updates below is selected at random depending on the map, and players have to complete the objective as fast as possible to return to the match that was at hand. Completing the update will result in 10,000 bonus points being applied to both teams, and is one of the requirements for an S rank.^[1]

In the below chart, HARD variants of missions have the same Mission Updates as their standard counterparts.

Lobby Warning(s)	Icon	Appearances											Details
Lobby Warning(s)	Icon	TML	PD	ACD	AAC	DNA	MB	WBA	B7R	ADI	ASLO	PLW	Details
Multiple unidentified flying objects are approaching.													Toggle
"New hostiles on radar. We have multiple UAVs and new model enemy craft. The Butterfly Master's coming in!" ― AWACS Sky Eye One QFA-44 Carmilla and numerous MQ-90Ls will spawn at a high altitude and begin to descend. Each MQ-90L is worth 1,600 points whereas the QFA-44 is worth 2,400 points. The Butterfly Master will also taunt the players, especially as they are shot down.
Problems with radio communications in the area confirmed. A radio report suggests that enemy covert operatives are active in the area. Enemy jamming signals within the area confirmed.													Toggle
"Hostile units are commencing their ECM Attack!?" ― AWACS Sky Eye 4 groups of ECM vehicles protected by AA defences with MiG-29A Fulcrums and Su-47 Berkuts flying as top cover, the air targets are not required to be destroyed. After destroying the 4 sites, the last 4 ECM vehicles will spawn in the north side. In Moscow Battle, the music doesn't change when the ECM vehicles appear, but in Paris Liberation War the music will change to Moscow Battle's normal track, "Keep Alive" from the Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Original Soundtrack.
The shadow of a large object has been confirmed out at sea. Intelligence suggests that new enemy weapons are being transported in the area.													Toggle
A Scinfaxi-class submarine will surface. The background music changes to "Scinfaxi" from the Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War Original Soundtrack. The Scinfaxi-class sub is equipped with UCAVs and burst missiles as well as AA guns and SAMs that cannot be targeted or destroyed. Its health depends on the number of player slots in the room; it has the least health in a 2v2 room, moderate health in a 3v3, and the most health in a 4v4. The submarine awards 24,000 points to the player that destroys it, and the UCAVs award 800 points each. During TML and ACD, if the submarine is not destroyed within 2 minutes, it submerges permanently and the emergency mission is failed; in the latter, AWACS Sky-Eye comments that they have been forced to abandon the allied facility. During PD, the submarine will never submerge and will remain above water until players destroy it.
Multiple unidentified flying objects are approaching. Elite enemy air forces are rapidly approaching. Reports indicate that enemy air forces equipped with special missiles are now in the air.													Toggle
"They changed missile types? Be advised, the bandits are equipped with multiple types of weaponry!" ― AWACS Sky-Eye A squadron of eight T-50 PAK-FAs will appear as targets on the radar. The background music changes to "The Demon of the Round Table" from the Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War Original Soundtrack. The T-50s are highly maneuverable, with the ability to perform extremely high-degree turns at fast speeds. According to AWACS Sky-Eye, they can change their missiles; one type of missile is fast but weak, and the other is powerful but slow. One of the pilots is an ace known as Specialist. Each of the T-50s awards 4,800 points.
Multiple unidentified flying objects are approaching. A radio report suggests that enemy covert operatives are active in the area. Local residents have witnessed the shadows of large aircraft.													Toggle
"Our scanning radar's getting compromised. There must be a hostile ESM craft somewhere. Find the ESM aircraft!" ― AWACS Sky-Eye A squadron of MiG-29A Fulcrums, Il-76 Candids (one of which is an ace pilot with the callsign Loudmouth) and Su-24MP Fencers will engage the players. The background music changes to "Vitoze Aerial Defense" from the Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation Original Soundtrack. The Il-76s and Su-24MPs will jam all player radars over a wide range. Otherwise, the aircraft do not have any special ordnance or abilities. The Su-24MPs each award 2,200 points, the MiG-29s 2,600 points, and the Il-76s 3,700 points.
The shadow of a large object has been confirmed out at sea. A large man-made structure detected on radar.													Toggle
"Enemy fleet sailing through nearby waters. The fleet is evacuating the battle zone. Engage and destroy immediately!" ― AWACS Sky-Eye A naval fleet of one battle cruiser, one destroyer, two cruisers, and two aegis ships will appear in the ocean between the oil rigs and shore on Pipeline Destruction, and will only appear on that level. They must be destroyed before they can leave the battle zone. Several F-14D Super Tomcats will spawn along side them. The background music changes to "San Loma Assault" from the Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation Original Soundtrack.
Multiple unidentified flying objects are approaching. Reports indicate that enemy air forces equipped with special missiles are now in the air.													Toggle
"Look at all of them! They fired six of those missiles in one go." ― AWACS Sky-Eye A squadron of eight Su-35 Super Flankers will appear as targets on the radar. They are similar in maneuverability to the T-50s, with the ability to perform high-degree turns at fast speeds. They will also fire many missiles at once. Each of the Su-35s awards 4,000 points for a possible total of 32,000 points (not counting the bonus). The background music changes to "Contact" from the Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War Original Soundtrack. In Area B7R Dogfight Battle, Scylla will request fire support from Stonehenge. The lead Flanker is labeled "Scylla". This is a nod to the Skylla Unit from Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception, which, while spelled different, was a reference to the Greek mythological monster Scylla.
Reports indicate that enemy air forces equipped with special missiles are now in the air.													Toggle
"Watch out! They've got high-caliber missiles!" ― AWACS Sky-Eye A squadron of F-14D Super Tomcats will appear as targets. According to the AWACS they are carrying high-damage missiles; each missile deals nearly 50% damage but the squadron doesn't fire it very often. They award 3,600 points each. The background music, as Scylla Squadron, changes to "Contact" from the Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War Original Soundtrack. In Area B7R Dogfight Battle, Titan will request fire support from Stonehenge.
Multiple unidentified flying objects are approaching. Reports indicate that enemy air forces equipped with special missiles are now in the air.													Toggle
"The bandits are equipped with high-speed missiles. If you're targeted, take immediate evasive action! It'll be too late once they launch them out!" ― AWACS Sky-Eye A flight of eight MiG-31 Foxhounds equipped with damaging high velocity missiles. Contrary to their appearance, each unit is highly mobile. Each MiG-31 destroyed will give 4,000 points. The background music changes to "Contact" from the Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War Original Soundtrack.
Multiple unidentified flying objects are approaching. Elite enemy air forces are rapidly approaching.													Toggle
"Those are stealth fighters! You'll need to intercept and kill on visual!" ― AWACS Sky-Eye An eight-plane formation formed by F-22A Raptors, YF-23A Black Widow IIs, and F-35B Lightning IIs , with considerable agility and stealth capabilities. They will only appear on radar if the player is facing them. The F-22As each will give 4,800 points, the YF-23s will give 4,000 points, and the F-35Bs will give 3,000 points. The background music changes to "The Demon of the Round Table" from the Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War Original Soundtrack.
Confirmed targets moving slowly and close to the ground. Radar has detected the approach of multiple slow moving targets.													Toggle
"Enemy attack helicopter squadron is in the air. This is a large-scale fleet of aircraft. The attack helicopter squadron is equipped with anti-air missiles. If you get too close, they'll nail you." ― AWACS Sky-Eye A formation consisting of many AH-64s and Ka-50s with anti-air capabilities. The helicopters are relatively agile, but are frail and will usually fall to a single missile impact. The AH-64s each will give 1,200 points while the Ka-50s will give 1,300 points. In Pipeline Destruction, the music doesn't change when the helicopters appear, while in Weapons Base Assault and in Avalon Dam Invasion, the music will change to Pipeline Destruction's normal track, "Annex" from the Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War Original Soundtrack.
Local residents have witnessed the shadows of large aircraft. Confirmed significant activity in enemy facilities.													Toggle
"Transport craft spotted on enemy airstrip! Shoot them down before they leave the battle zone." ― AWACS Sky-Eye A formation of six Il-76 Candids will take off from the airfield Northwest of the battle area and attempt to leave the combat zone. They are escorted by several F-15Cs. The Eagles are not required to complete the mission update. The Il-76s will each give 2,000 points while the F-15Cs will give 1,500 points. They only appear in Pipeline Destruction. The background music doesn't change.
The shadow of a large object has been confirmed out at sea. Radar sites in the vicinity have detected what appears to be stealth aircraft. Intelligence suggests that new enemy weapons are being transported in the area.													Toggle
"There's a fleet of missile-equipped enemy destroyers leaving the dock. New-model stealth vessels." ― AWACS Sky-Eye Up to four Zumwalt-class destroyers with vertical launch bays will appear and attempt to escape from Tokyo Bay. Each will net players with 8,000 points when sunk, while the VLS cells each will give 1,200 points when destroyed. MiG-29A Fulcrums spawned north of the map to engage the players. They only appear in Tokyo Martial Law. The background music changes to "San Loma Assault" from the Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation Original Soundtrack.
Multiple unidentified flying objects are approaching.													Toggle
"NEO fragment incoming! All units, engage immediately! Pulverize it before it makes impact!" ― AWACS Sky-Eye A large numbers of meteorites appear at high altitude above Tokyo. Players are required to destroy the meteorites before they hit Tokyo. The score of each meteorite varies, depending on the said meteorite's endurance against attack. The weakest meteorites will give 1,300 points, the medium endurance meteorites will give 2,800 points, the toughest ones will give 5,600 points. Meteorites only appear in Tokyo Martial Law. The background music changes to "Amorphous" from Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere Original Soundtrack.
The enemy is operating some kind of special facilities. Encrypted signals have been detected from enemy facilities. Ground forces are starting to become more active. Intercepted information that enemy forces are hidden within the city.													Toggle
"We have a simultaneous ballistic missile launch from hidden silos in the mountains! High possibility that the target is in a heavily populated area! Destroy them all before they exit the available shoot-down area!" ― AWACS Sky-Eye in Alps Air Corridor "Ballistic missiles launched! Destroy them all before they reach your alititude limit!" ― AWACS Sky-Eye in Moscow Battle and Weapons Base Assault Up to three ICBMs will appear from hidden silos in the area. Players must destroy the missiles before they can escape into beyond reach altitude. Each will net players with 5,000 points. Appears in Alps Air Corridor, Moscow Battle and Weapons Base Assault. The background music changes to "Launch" from Ace Combat Assault Horizon Original Soundtrack.
Intelligence suggests that new enemy weapons are being transported in the area. Radar has detected the approach of multiple slow moving targets.													Toggle
"Multiple hostile B-2 bombers and escort fighters incoming from the south! Believed to be heading for our facilities. Intercept at once!" ― AWACS Sky-Eye A squadron of B-2s will appear, moving toward the aerospace center to level it. Players must destroy them before they reach the defended area. For every bomber destroyed, players will get 4,000 points. They are escorted by a several F-22As. Only appears in Aerospace Center Defense. The background music doesn't change.
Confirmed multiple enemy aircraft beyond the operation area.													Toggle
"Multiple cruise missiles incoming! They're flying toward Dubai from off the coast. Destroy them all before they make impact!" ― AWACS Sky-Eye Eleven cruise missiles will appear in the area and are on the move to hit Dubai but be wary for they start moving erratically as to dodge the missiles. Players are required to shoot the missiles down before they hit Dubai in one minute and 30 seconds. Every missile will give 3,200 points upon destruction. Only appears in Dubai Night Assault. The background music changes to "City Lights" from Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation Original Soundtrack.
Multiple unidentified flying objects are approaching. Elite enemy air forces are rapidly approaching. Reports indicate that enemy air forces equipped with special missiles are now in the air.													Toggle
"Hostiles on our twelve. All units, fire your lances." ― Enemy Fighter Pilot A squadron of twelve F-15Cs appear and engage the players using long range missiles, most likely SAAMs. The lead aircraft is marked as "Sniper". Each aircraft will net players with 2,800 points. The background music changes to "The Demon of the Round Table" from Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War Original Soundtrack. In Area B7R Dogfight Battle, Sniper will request fire support from Stonehenge.
Intercepted information that enemy forces are hidden within the city.													Toggle
"Multiple VTOL craft taking off from the city. Don't let any of the VTOLs by. Shoot them all down!" ― AWACS Sky-Eye Twelve F-35Bs take off vertically from several points in the city and attempt to flee the battlefield, though they can still fire missiles should the players get within range in front of them. Players must shoot them all down before they leave the map. Each Lightning II destroyed will net players with 3,000 points. The lead F-35B is marked as "Wildfire". The background music does not change in Dubai Night Assault, but in Paris Liberation War the music will change to Dubai Night Assault's normal track, "Shall Defend" from the Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Original Soundtrack.
Radar has detected the approach of multiple slow moving targets. Intelligence suggests that new enemy weapons are being transported in the area. Local residents have witnessed the shadows of large aircraft.													Toggle
"New hostiles on radar! It's the Gyges and Kottos aerial warships. One of them is an ESM aircraft. Start by hitting its ESM pods." ― AWACS Sky-Eye One Kottos and one Gyges aerial fortress will appear, escorted by several fighters. The fortresses are destroyed in the exact same manner as in Moby Dick Pursuit, starting with weapons and ECM arrays, then engines, and lastly the cockpit. The mission is complete when both fortresses are completely destroyed. Appears in Alps Air Corridor, Aerospace Center Defense, Weapons Base Assault, and Area B7R Dogfight Battle. The background music changes to "Heavy Command Cruiser" from Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation Original Soundtrack.
Intercepted information that enemy forces are hidden within the city.													Toggle
"Enemy squadron taking off from international airport. Destroy the ground and air forces deployed in the international airport!" ― AWACS Sky-Eye Several air and ground forces appear at Dubai's international airport. Many tanks, AA guns, APCs, and other ground forces spawn in the airport and must be destroyed. Several Il-76s and MiG-29As also take off from the airport as well. All must be destroyed. The airport is a good distance away from the majority of the main targets in the mission so reaching the airport can take awhile. Only appears in Dubai Night Assault . The background mission changes to Chain Reaction from Ace Combat 5 .
Problems with radio communications in the area confirmed. Enemy jamming signals detected. The enemy is operating some kind of special facilities.													Toggle
"Hold till allied reinforcements arrived." ― Enemy Jammer Crew Several ground based radar jammers spawn on the mountain tops around the map, protected by several AA defenses. Additionally several fighter jets spawn and attack the players. For the mission to be complete all radar jammers and fighter jets must be destroyed. Appears in Alps Air Corridor . The background music changes to "Ragno Fortress" from Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation Soundtrack.
													Toggle
"Ballistic missile carriers sighted! All flights, destroy the targets now!" ― AWACS Sky-Eye 28 ballistic missile carriers (BM CARRIER) appear in four groups around Avalon Dam. The targets are surrounded by numerous XSAMs and AA Guns. Each BM CARRIER will give 1,800 points upon destruction, while XSAMs and AA Guns will give 1,600 and 500 respectively. The background music changes to "Ragno Fortress" from Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation Original Soundtrack.

Ace Combat 7[]

Main article: Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown/Missions

Charge the Enemy - After destroying the targets, 5 MQ-99 drones will be launched from containers and will need to be shot down.
Two-pronged Strategy - After destroying the enemy fighters, the Arsenal Bird will enter the airspace. AWACS Sky Keeper instructs the planes to destroy it, but tells them to withdraw after a few minutes. The player must destroy all of the attacking drones to complete the mission.
Rescue - Once the player bypasses the radar system, they must destroy the anti-air defenses surrounding the Space Elevator for Sea Goblin. Though the rescue chopper is destroyed, Harling and Johnson are forced to take a V-22 instead. The player must protect the transport from incoming drones.
444 - After a bomber hits the control tower, AWACS Bandog unlocks the FCS of all planes and orders them to shoot down the bombers.

Trivia[]

Breaking Arrows seems to feature a Mission Update of some kind (the lone missile at the end) but it is only indicated as such by the music change and SkyEye's transmissions; the Mission Update notifier never flashes.
Ever since and including Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation, Mission Updates have been paired with another gameplay feature: checkpoints.

Infinity Trivia[]

Mission Updates do not occur during Special Raid missions.^[1]
Mission updates sound effect looks like familiar to that of Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies.
The squadron of bombers in Aerospace Center Defense is a reference to the Erusean bombers that appeared during Shattered Skies from Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies. Shattered Skies takes place over the Comona Islands, from which the Comona Base is based on. However, in Aerospace Center Defense, the bombers spawn to the south rather than the west in Shattered Skies.
The cruise missiles in Dubai is likely a reference to Gracemeria Patrol from Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation. Both require players to shoot down missiles, and both take place in a city at night. The background music further supports this.
The International Airport Mission Update in Dubai is likely a reference to Chain Reaction from Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War. Both feature a civilian airport occupied by a variety of ground forces, alongside several fighter jets and transport planes, and both take place in a city at night. The background music further reinforces this.
Kottos and Gyges' formation during their appearance in a Mission Update (Gyges flying above Kottos) is very reminiscent of the battle against the two Orgois during Alarm Clock from Ace Combat: Joint Assault.
The jammers in Alps Air Corridor are likely referencing The Northern Eye from Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies. Both involve destroying defended radio towers, although the ones in the Alps actually emit radar jamming signals unlike the ones over Mt. Shezna.
During Area B7R Dogfight Battle, Stonehenge is called upon during the Mission Update to provide fire support against the players. However, this only occurs when the Mission Update does not involve 5th generation fighter aircraft or the QFA-44 Carmilla.

References[]

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Online Co-Op Missions. Ace Combat Infinity.

https://youtu.be/VfHVUKwuAFI

[ACI-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Online Co-Op Missions. Ace Combat Infinity.

[1]