In Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies, the aircraft was erroneously named the F-15 ACTIVE, a further modification to the S/MTD demonstrator[2] that has never featured in Ace Combat (though the ACTIVE nose boom[3] was oddly present on the S/MTD in Assault Horizon and Infinity). The Ace Combat 04 model did not feature any of the ACTIVE modifications or forward-swept wings as its hangar description claims; it did feature a single-seat cockpit, but this was also fictional as the S/MTD demonstrator always featured a two-seat cockpit.
"An experimental aircraft designed for improved maneuverability and short-distance landing while maintaining the excellent battle capabilities of the original F-15. In addition to new 2D thrust vectoring nozzles, it has adapted the F/A-18's horizontal tail wings as large canards, which give the model stability and handling that surpass that of its predecessor. This mobility and stability at low speeds give it enhanced destructive abilities against both air and ground targets alike, making it a superior choice in a variety of different battle situations. The S/MTD in its name stands for "Short Takeoff and Landing/Maneuver Technology Demonstrator.""
"An experimental aircraft developed to increase maneuverability and designed for short takeoff and landing abilities. An electronic control system simultaneously operates the horizontal stabilizer, 2DCD thrust-vectoring nozzle, and canard wings, resulting in turning performance that exceeds the capabilities of conventional multirole aircraft. The oversized canard wings provide a large degree of dynamic lift allowing for increased maneuverability and stability during stall recovery, regardless of speed. S/MTD stands for "Short Takeoff and Landing/Maneuver Technology Demonstrator"."
"An experimental aircraft developed to increase maneuverability and designed for short takeoff and landing abilities. An electronic control system simultaneously operates the horizontal stabilizer, 2DCD thrust-vectoring nozzle, and canard wings, resulting in turning performance that exceeds the capabilities of conventional multirole aircraft. The oversized canard wings provide a large degree of dynamic lift allowing for increased maneuverability and stability during stall recovery, regardless of speed. S/MTD stands for "Short Takeoff and Landing/Maneuver Technology Demonstrator.""
Complete multiplayer Joint Assault mission 9&10: Spotlight on the second playthrough, or complete mission 21A: Reprisal (21A) on the second playthrough. Costs $165,000.
"An experimental aircraft with thrust vectoring nozzles and canard wings, developed to research air combat maneuverability. It performed so well in tests that it was deployed for actual combat."
"An experimental aircraft with thrust vectoring nozzles and canard wings, developed to research air combat maneuverability. It performed so well in tests that it was deployed for actual combat."
↑Players could use one Nonstandard Upgrade Request Form instead of credits for the Lv.6 upgrade.
↑Despite the hangar description, this aircraft does not have forward-swept wings or any of the ACTIVE modifications in its Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies appearance.
Thrust vectoring is the ability to change the direction of thrust emitted from an engine. Aircraft with thrust vector control can perform enhanced maneuvers not available to aircraft without it.
Thrust vectoring is the ability to change the direction of thrust emitted from an engine. Aircraft with thrust vector control can perform enhanced maneuvers not available to aircraft without it.