Standoff in the Skies II is mission 7B in Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception. It is the second scenario in which Gryphus 1 fights a unharmed Gleipnir with functional optical camouflage.
Briefing
"Allied ground forces have finished preparartions for an assault on Santa Elva. They're the same troops we rescued from Stand Canyon . The mission will be to retake Santa Elva , a vital transportation route. If we succeed in retaking this city, our capitol Griswall will be within reach. Analysis of the SWBM attack on Cape Aubrey has shown that the shock wave of the missile dissipates before reaching ground level. Therefrore, an assault by our ground forces has much higher probability of succeeding. The mission can commence any time. the Gleipnir has troubled Aurelia long enough, the time has come to drive it out."
Objectives
Gryphus 1 is tasked with destroying the Ariborne Fortress Gleipnir once and for all. The optical caomouflage must be disabled before the ground forces are wiped out by the Gleipnir's Shock Cannon before moving onto destroying the SWBM launchers. At this point, the Gleipnir will start firing SWBMs so Gryphus will have to fly lower than it before it strikes. After all launch ports are destroyed, the Gleipnir will attempt to fire the SHock Cannon at the city. Gryphus 1 must then destroy it before time runs out.
S-Rank
The S-Rank is achieved if the ground forces do not suffer any more than 25% casualties and the player has a total of 15,000 points.
Ace Unit
Firestorm: Spawns to the Northwest when the Gleipnir's optical camouflage is disabled before any damage to the ground forces could be done. He flies a A-10A Thunderbolt II .
Star Unit
Container Ship: Spawns on the river canal after the mission update
Debriefing
"We've succeeded in destroying the Gleipnir as well as taking back Santa Elva. The Santa Elva victory is fantastic news. But eren more so, the defeat of the Gleipnir is sure to boost morale and give us a strategic advantage in this war. Luck was certainly on our side though with all that raining debris, its amazing the city sustained so little damage."