The Semi-Active Air-to-Air Missile, acronym SAAM, is a long range missile present in most Ace Combat games, starting with Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War. The SAAM uses a unique tracking system: when selected, a large green circle will appear within the player's HUD. The missile itself uses a unique tracking system: as long as the player can keep his/her target within the circle, the missile will track it. The SAAM is usually a deadly weapon, capable of one shot kills on most targets in almost all difficulties. However, one must note that due to the nature of the missile that requires constant guidance from the launching aircraft in order for it to hit, during which time, the player will likely be a sitting duck.

Ace Combat 5: The Unsung WarEdit

The weapon is first found equipped to the Mirage 2000, which is unlocked after mission 7, Front Line, is completed. It is also found in the SAAM training in the training missions.

The SAAM is available on the following aircraft:

• F-20A Tigershark (x10 SAAM)
• Mirage 2000 (x08 SAAM)
• F-14A Tomcat (x10 SAAM)
• MiG-31 Foxhound (x14 SAAM)
• F-15C Eagle (x10 SAAM)
• Su-27 Flanker (x10 SAAM)
• Su-47 Berkut (x14 SAAM)

Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan WarEdit

The SAAM in Ace Combat Zero is available on the following aircraft:

• J35J Draken
• F-20A Tigershark
• F-4E Phantom II
• MiG-29A Fulcrum
• Su-47 Berkut
• F-15E Strike Eagle
• F-16XL

Ace Combat 6: Fires of LiberationEdit

The SAAM also appears in Ace Combat 6. It is the same as before, with usually one-shot kills. It appears on the F-14D Super Tomcat and the SU-47 Berkut as a special weapon.

During an online match, the SAAM is a useful weapon. It can be used at range against other players, long before they can track you. The downside, however, is that other players can easily shoot you down, as you have to be tracking your target continually. Additionally, XLAAs can lock onto you before you're in range, meaning that you would get hit first, and loose track of your target, or even get shot down.

NotesEdit

When the enemy aircraft escapes the circle, the missile will stop tracking, and fly straight. However, this missile can, and will start to track the target again, should the player get the target within the circle again. Which can be useful. Also, you don't have to keep the weapons selection in SAAM to make it keep tracking. Switch back to MSSL and the SAAM will still track its target, which is very useful against targets that need 3-4 missile hits to take down.