SLUAV

SLUAV
Role	Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Appearances
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War Ace Combat Infinity Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

The SLUAV (Submarine-Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) is a specialized UAV designed for use by Scinfaxi-class submarines and Alicorn-class submersible aviation cruisers. Depending on the application, SLUAVs can defend the submarine by firing on hostile units or act as marker drones for long-range attacks.

History

Strangereal

The Union of Yuktobanian Republics developed the Hrimfaxi to feature unmanned technology, reducing its crew size compared to the Scinfaxi. 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 the Osean Federation's Operation Long Harpoon during the Circum-Pacific War, the Hrimfaxi launched the 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.

The Alicorn, a successor of the Scinfaxi-class submersible carriers, also carried these same SLUAVs. In contrast to the Hrimfaxi's strictly point-defense UAVs, the Alicorn's SLUAVs were also capable of acting as terminal guidance for a powerful rail cannon onboard the Alicorn. Captain Matias Torres ordered the use of this railgun and the SLUAVs over Anchorhead as a guided artillery fire drill in preparation for a 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.

SLUAVs were later utilized by the Alicorn for a second time during Operation Fisherman, this time 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 anti-submarine patrol aircraft, but failed when the LRSSG successfully defended the squadron during their attempt to drop sonobuoys. 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 rail guns 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.

Infinity universe

SLUAVs were deployed by Scinfaxi-class submarines in various operations during the UNF's Operation Eternal Liberation.

Game Analysis

• Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
• Ace Combat Infinity
• Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War

Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown

How to Unlock

This aircraft is not available to the player.

Gallery

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  Two SLUAVs being launched from the Alicorn from underwater

Ace Combat Infinity

How to Unlock

This aircraft is not available to the player.

Gallery

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Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War

How to Unlock

This aircraft is not available to the player.

Gallery

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Trivia

• The SLUAV is based on the real-life cancelled Lockheed Martin Cormorant but features many design alternations. The SLUAV has moderately short, straight wings, and a vertical stabilizer is present on the top. The Cormorant had longer wings that were bent near the wingtips and the vertical stabilizer was present on the bottom. This technically implies the SLUAV flies upside down in Ace Combat.