The Su-30M2 Flanker-F2[note 1] is a modernized two-seat combat aircraft developed from the Su-27 Flanker-B. It was first introduced to the Ace Combat franchise in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
History
The Su-30M2 has been used sporadically, primarily for air superiority. Five Su-30M2s were utilized by Free Erusean forces during their attack on an IUN-PKF air base in the Scofields Plateau.[2]
During the Lighthouse War, the Su-30M2 was the primary aircraft of choice for the Erusean Air and Space Administration's 68th Experimental Squadron, also known as Sol Squadron. Sol's lead aircraft, flown by Mihaly A. Shilage, was an Su-30SM, but all other Sol pilots flew Su-30M2s. The first known deployment of Sol Squadron's Su-30M2s was during Spare Squadron's Operation Two Pairs in Yinshi Valley. Wit and Seymour—Sol 2 and Sol 3, respectively—flew alongside Mihaly as support. Tabloid pulled Wit and Seymour away into a separate dogfight to allow Trigger an opportunity to chase down Mihaly until the worsening climate forced everyone to retreat.[3]
Sol Squadron later deployed during the final stages of Osea's third attack on Farbanti as a last resort to defend the city. The majority of the squadron engaged Cyclops and Strider Squadrons to allow Mihaly to attack Osean naval forces. One of Sol's members shot down Fencer during the dogfight before both sides were forced to retreat due to the loss of radar.[4] A month later, all of Sol Squadron, except for Mihaly, attempted to defend Shilage from Strider Squadron's raid on Shilage for its resources. The squadron took off from a makeshift runway within a tunnel before engaging Strider. Trigger shot down Hermann and Roald—Sol 4 and Sol 5, respectively—before Mihaly arrived in an X-02S Strike Wyvern and ordered Wit and Seymour to escape the area.[5]
Wit and Seymour later joined the Osean-Erusean coalition during Operation Daredevil to assist in the destruction of Arsenal Bird Justice.[6] Following the appearance of the two ADF-11F Ravens, Wit and Seymour temporarily retreated. They returned the next day alongside the rest of the Osean-Erusean coalition to help shoot them down and end the war.[7]
Four replicas of Sol Squadron's Su-30M2s were showcased at Redmill Air Force Base during a ceremony commemorating the 25th anniversary of the end of the Belkan War.[8]
Game Analysis
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
- "A variant of the Su-30 based on the double-seater Su-27, the Su-30M2 is a multirole fighter equipped with enhanced air-to-ground weaponry. The history behind its model number is somewhat convoluted, as it was based on the Su-30MKK/MK2, which was the foreign export model of the Su-30, but the Su-30M2 was later adapted for domestic use and given upgrades. The main visual difference between the models lies in the replacement of vertical wings and lack of canards."
- ― Data Viewer
How to Unlock
- Main Game: The Su-30M2 is available on the Aircraft Tree and it costs 560,000 MRP. It requires purchasing the either the Su-33 Flanker-D or the MiG-31B Foxhound.
- VR Mode: Complete three VR missions.
Statistics
Weapons
- GUN x800 (∞ on Easy/Normal)
- MSL x112
- HPAA x28
- 4AGM x24 (50,000 MRP) (VR: Complete 1 mission with the Su-30)
- 4AAM x32 (50,000 MRP) (VR: Complete 2 missions with the Su-30)
- FLR x4
Part Slots
- BODY: 34
- ARMS: 34
- MISC: 34
Named Pilots
Skins
- Osea: Three-tone light blue, sky blue and light gray camouflage, based on Su-30M2 "40 Blue" of the Russian VKS.
- Erusea: Light brown and green camouflage, based on the Vietnam People's Air Force standard Su-30MK2V livery. (Unlocked by earning the "Ghostbuster" medal: Shoot down 200 enemy drones in campaign.)
- Special: Russian "Serdyukov" camouflage - black dorsal fuselage with light blue ventral fuselage, based on the Russian Navy Su-30SM scheme. (Unlock: Obtain the medal "Piloted" by completing Dark Blue using only the machine gun.)
- Mage: Osea skin with Mage Squadron markings.
- Spare: Osea skin with Spare Squadron markings.
- Strider: Osea skin with Strider Squadron markings.
- Sol: Special Skin with Sol Squadron markings. (DLC: Purchase via the ADF-01 FALKEN Set)
Gallery
Special skin Flyby - Front left quarter
Special skin Flyby - Side
Strider skin Flyby - Front right quarter
An Erusean Su-30M2 flying alonside an Osean
F/A-18F
An Erusean Su-30M2 part of the Osean-Erusean coalition
Strider skin Flyby - Front
Hangar shot of Skin 1 - Osea skin
Hangar shot of Skin 2 - Erusea skin
Hangar shot of Skin 3 - Special skin
Hangar shot of Skin 4 - Mage skin
Hangar shot of Skin 5 - Spare skin
Hangar shot of Skin 6 - Strider skin
Hangar shot of Skin 7 - Sol skin
Notes
- ↑ The "Flanker-F2" reporting name is used on the Ace Combat 7 official website's VR Mode page,[1] but does not appear in the release version of the game. The correct real-life reporting name is Flanker-G+; Flanker-F2 would instead be properly used for a derivative of the Su-37.
References
Hangar view (VR Mode)
Special skin Flyby - Front left quarter
Special skin Flyby - Side
Strider skin Flyby - Front right quarter
An Erusean Su-30M2 flying alonside an Osean F/A-18F
An Erusean Su-30M2 part of the Osean-Erusean coalition
Strider skin Flyby - Front
Hangar shot of Skin 1 - Osea skin
Hangar shot of Skin 2 - Erusea skin
Hangar shot of Skin 3 - Special skin
Hangar shot of Skin 4 - Mage skin
Hangar shot of Skin 5 - Spare skin
Hangar shot of Skin 6 - Strider skin
Hangar shot of Skin 7 - Sol skin
Cockpit
Cockpit
