ASF-X Shinden II

"I can't believe how fast that pirate and the Butterfly Master move! ...I thought my craft was higher-spec."

"Ace Combat Infinity"

― {{{4}}}

The ASF-X Shinden II (震電Ⅱ, "Magnificent Lightning") is a next-generation combat aircraft. In the Assault Horizon universe, the aircraft was a prototype for the active service variants, collectively known as the F-3 Shinden II, developed to protect Japan airspace.

The ASF-X Shinden II was created by Shōji Kawamori, known as the creator of the Macross series, as exclusive downloadable content for Ace Combat: Assault Horizon. The aircraft was an attempt by Project Aces to bring together the futuristic style of Kawamori's work (most notably seen in his Variable Fighter designs) with modern flight technology.

Ace Combat Infinity, the next console release in the Ace Combat series following Assault Horizon, featured the ASF-X Shinden II as the aircraft of choice of the Ridgeback Squadron, an elite squadron under the United Nations Forces. The aircraft's development history in the Infinity universe is still unknown.

History

Assault Horizon universe

For a full timeline of events related to this aircraft's development and service in the Assault Horizon universe, see ASF-X Shinden II/Timeline.

Following the September 11 attacks and the 2002 Japan unauthorized incursion incident, the Japanese military was determined to create a new aircraft to defend the country. Development began in 2003. The aircraft was named the "Shinden II" due to some of the developers being interested in Imperial Japanese Army technology (specifically the Kyūshū J7W1 Shinden).^[1]

The Shinden II remained in development and testing until September 2018, when the Haneda Incident forced the Japanese government to equip four test units (known as ASF-X units) with live weaponry. They successfully thwarted a second NRF terrorist attack, and the Shinden II entered full service shortly afterward.^[1]

Some export models of the Shinden II that were sent to the United Kingdom were used in the West Africa civil war. One Shinden II successfully shot down a CFA-44 Nosferatu near the end of the war.^[1]

Infinity universe

In the Infinity universe, the ASF-X was developed by Japan after the Ulysses Disaster, likely to fulfill a similar role to its original incarnation. It was adopted as the main aircraft of the United Nations Forces' Ridgeback Squadron, who customized them to achieve greater performance.

During Operation Eternal Liberation, the Shinden II was mass-produced and given to mercenaries allied with the UNF.

Game Analysis

Ace Combat Infinity

Description

This fictional state-of-the-art support fighter has a variable airframe that provides stable flight performance at any speed, making it ideal for a variety of missions such as attacking hostile fleets in territorial waters, engaging enemies attempting to land, and providing support during mountain defense operations. Boasting a variable, forward swept wing configuration, its outstanding maneuverability provides excellent close-range combat abilities. It has a unique two-tiered engine, allowing it to be a VTOL aircraft as well. It is known widely as "Shinden II" (Magnificent Lightning II).

How to Unlock

The ASF-X Shinden II can be purchased from the Aircraft Tree for 432,000 credits.

Lv.	Price	GUN	MSL	6AAM	LASM	GPB	SP	MO	ST	AA	AG	DF
1	432,000	129	120	18	–	–	E+	C	C	C+	C	E
2	67,500	141	122	22	–	–	D	C+	C+	C+	C	E+
3	102,600	154	124	26	–	–	D+	B	C+	B	C	D
4	151,200	167	126	30	15	–	D+	B	B	B	C+	D+
5	259,200	180	128	34	16	–	C	B+	B	B	C+	C
6	675,000^[a]	193	132	38	18	–	C+	B+	B	B	B	C+
7	297,000	206	134	42	20	16	C+	A	B+	B+	B	B
8	513,000	219	136	46	22	18	B	A+	B+	B+	B+	B+
9	756,000	232	138	50	24	20	B	A+	B+	B+	B+	A
10	1,080,000	246	142	54	26	22	B+	S	A	A	B+	A+
11			–							F
12			–							F
13			–							F
14			–							F
15			–							F
16			–							F
17			–							F
18			–							F
19			–							F
20			–							F

Part Slots: At Lv.1, this aircraft carried 32 BODY, 32 ARMS, and 32 MISC part slots. See Tuning § Slot Expansion for further information.

Weapon

Gun: 20 mm JM61A1 six-barrel rotary cannon
Missile: AAM-3
6-Target Multi Lock-on Air-to-Air Missile: AAM-4
Long-Range Anti-Ship Missile: XASM-3
Guided Penetration Bomb: 1000 lb GBU-32 JDAM

Colors

Standard: Dark gray

Trivia

This plane, along with the harrier, is capable of holding the nose level through a stall, likely as an attempt to simulate VTOL Capabilities to a limited extent

Gallery

Ace Combat: Assault Horizon

Description

This fictional state-of-the-art support fighter has a variable airframe that provides stable flight performance at any speed level making it ideal for a variety of missions such as attacking hostile fleets in territorial waters, engaging enemies attempting to land, and providing support during mountain defense operations. Boasting a variable, forward swept wing configuration, its outstanding maneuverability provides excellent close range combat abilities. It has a unique two-tiered engine allowing it to be a VTOL aircraft as well. It is known widely as "Shinden II" (Magnificent Lightning II).

How to Unlock

The ASF-X Shinden II must be purchased and downloaded for the game through PlayStation Network or Xbox LIVE. It comes for free (like most other DLC) on the Steam version.

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