Chandelier cruise missile
- "I can't catch 'em all! They're too damn fast!"
- ― Freddie Durand[1]
Chandelier cruise missiles are a unique class of cruise missiles deployed by the Chandelier railgun built by Estovakia. Chandelier cruise missiles stand out for their distinctive deployment method. Rather than launching from a ground site, the missiles are placed inside a specialized shell called "Stauros" which is fired from the Chandelier.[2] Upon reaching the target location, the Stauros capsule breaks apart, and the missiles ignite their engines and head toward the target.[1]
History
Development
When it was initially discovered, it was thought that the Ulysses 1994XF04 asteroid would only hit the Usean continent. However, updated data gathered by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in July 1998 revealed that Ulysses would break up into two large fragments, causing damage to the Anean continent in addition to Usea. Unfortunately, the FCU's Stonehenge was too far along in construction to be adjusted, leaving Anea vulnerable. As a result, there were demonstrations in Anea protesting against the IAU and FCU.[3]
Upon learning of the impending threat from the Ulysses asteroid, Estovakia devised a plan to defend their nation by developing the Chandelier railgun and its unique cruise missiles. Unfortunately, the complicated construction process prevented the Chandelier from being completed before Ulysses struck in July 1999. As a result, only a portion of the barrel was built, and the facility remained inactive.[4]
During the Estovakian Civil War, the Eastern Faction decided to finish the Chandelier and use it against the Lyes United Front. However, the railgun's usage was hindered by issues with high electricity consumption and heat generation. Although the civil war eventually ended, work on the Chandelier continued. By 2014, the weapon's main framework and facilities were completed, but its ongoing heating problems continued to prevent it from functioning.[2]
Deployment
- "I've got a visual on an unknown. It's huge!"
- ― Marcus Lampert upon seeing a Stauros capsule[1]
On March 31, 2016, hours after the Emmerian military reclaimed Gracemeria, Chandelier cruise missiles were deployed for the first time. Several cruise missiles stored in Stauros shells were launched at Gracemeria in a series of wave attacks. However, patrolling the Emmerian Air Force aircraft managed to intercept the missiles before they could completely destroy the city.[1]
On April 1, after the Emmerian military traced the cruise missiles back to an area near Sonne Island in northern Estovakia, several fighter squadrons were dispatched to the Razgriz Straits. Emmerian squadrons arrived just as the Chandelier began launching another series of cruise missiles. Ultimately, Garuda Team managed to destroy the weapon, halting the further use of the cruise missiles.[5]
Gallery
A wave of cruise missiles
Trivia
- Chandelier cruise missiles are the largest cruise missiles seen in the Ace Combat series.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Mission 14: "Gracemeria Patrol", Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Aces At War: A History 2019, page 065.
- ↑ GAZE: Last Christmas.
- ↑ Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation Complete Guide, page 173.
- ↑ Mission 15: "Chandelier", Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation.