Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
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Two SLUAVs being launched from the Alicorn from underwater
SLUAV
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SLUAV
The Submarine-Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SLUAV)[1] is a specialized model of combat UAV designed by the Union of Yuktobanian Republics for use aboard submarine aircraft carriers—specifically their Scinfaxi-class submarines and Alicorn-class submersible aviation cruisers. Befitting their role, these drones have the unique capability to be launched while the submarine is still submerged.[2] Depending on the application, SLUAVs can defend the submarine by firing on hostile units[3][4][2] or act as marker drones for long-range attacks.[5]
Etymology
The SLUAV originally went unnamed during its first appearance in Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War, simply being referred to as "unmanned drones" by the crew of the Hrimfaxi in dialogue and called "UAV" on the heads-up display.[3] Similarly, during their appearance in Ace Combat Infinity, they were simply called "UCAV" on the HUD.[4] The drones were finally given a proper name during the briefing of "Unexpected Visitor," the first DLC mission for Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, and were designated as Submarine-Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (SLUAV).[1] They made their first appearance under this name in "Anchorhead Raid."[5]
Hisaharu Tago, the director for Ace Combat 7's DLC, has stated that while he expects most players to pronounce the initialism as "S-L-U-A-V," the intention was for it to be a homophone to the word "slave."[a][6]
Design
The SLUAV is loosely based on the Lockheed Martin Cormorant, a conceptual tailsitting UAV that was intended to be launched from Ohio-class submarines before being cancelled due to budget cuts. Like the Cormorant, the SLUAV is an unmanned aerial vehicle capable of being launched from submerged submarines. However, the SLUAV also features many design alternations from its source material. The SLUAV has a dorsal stabilizer and moderately short, straight wings canted downward; the Cormorant had a ventral stabilizer and longer, upward-canted wings that were bent near the wingtips. In many respects, this means the SLUAV resembles an upside-down Cormorant with the winglets removed.
Due to being designed with operation from submarines in mind, the SLUAV is capable of being operated from submerged submarines.[2]
History
Strangereal
The Union of Yuktobanian Republics developed the Hrimfaxi—the second boat of the Scinfaxi class—to feature significant advances in automation technology, reducing its crew size drastically when compared to the Scinfaxi.[7] This included submarine-launched UAVs that would defend the Hrimfaxi from attack (as compared to the VTOL hangar utilized by the Scinfaxi, which necessitated aviation crews and pilots aboard).
During Operation Long Harpoon, an Osean operation during the Circum-Pacific War, the Hrimfaxi launched its SLUAVs to defend itself from Wardog Squadron. Wardog shot the UAVs down and caused the remaining ones to lose their guidance after sinking the Hrimfaxi.[3]
The Alicorn, a successor of the Scinfaxi-class submersible carriers, also carried SLUAVs. In contrast to the Hrimfaxi's strictly point-defense UAVs, the Alicorn's SLUAVs were also capable of acting as terminal guidance for the Alicorn's SRC-03a strategic rail cannon. Captain Matias Torres ordered the use of the rail cannon and the SLUAVs over Anchorhead as part of a guided artillery fire drill in preparation for their future nuclear strike on Oured. It was also an attempt to neutralize remaining Erusean forces during the Long Range Strategic Strike Group's raid on Anchorhead.. The SLUAV-guided railgun shots managed to damage Húxiān's aircraft, forcing her to retreat, but otherwise Strider Squadron was unaffected.[5]
SLUAVs were later utilized by the Alicorn for a second time during Operation Fisherman, this time being tasked as interceptors alongside the manned Rafale Ms of the submarine's air wing. They were initially tasked with shooting down Specter Squadron's fleet of maritime patrol aircraft, but failed in this objective. After the Alicorn was forced to surface, SLUAVs were launched in large numbers in tandem with SACS to serve as a distraction while the submarine fought back with its railguns and anti-aircraft systems. Ultimately, this effort was unsuccessful, and all of the drones in the air self-destructed following the destruction of the Alicorn at the hands of Trigger.[2]
Infinity universe
SLUAVs were deployed by Scinfaxi-class submarines in various operations during the UNF's Operation Eternal Liberation.[4]
Game Analysis
Ace Combat Infinity
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Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 SP Mission 01: "Unexpected Visitor", Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 SP Mission 03: "Ten Million Relief Plan", Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Mission 13: "Demons of Razgriz", Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Mission Update, Ace Combat Infinity.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 SP Mission 02: "Anchorhead Raid", Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
- ↑ Tago, Hisaharu [@Tagotch] (3 May 2023). https://twitter.com/Tagotch/status/1653762009958322176. X.
- ↑ Aces At War: A History 2019, page 051.
Footnotes
- ↑ Slave (スレーヴ Surēvu)