VR

HoTaS support.

F-22C (COFFIN version of F-22)

Since the story of Ace Combat 8 has the player character primarily operating from an aircraft carrier for a significant portion of the game, my first suggestion would be more aircraft that were designed to operate from aircraft carriers.

A-7E Corsair II
-A veteran of the Vietnam war, the A-7E is a sub-sonic attack aircraft that bridges the capabilities of the F-4E with the A-10C, while also being something that operated from aircraft carriers. Despite being around in the 1970s, the last few to retire did so as late as 2014, where they had been serving in the Hellenic Air Force.

F/A-18D Hornet
-The two-seat variant of the F/A-18C that is already confirmed to be in the game. It feels like an obvious choice considering we already have confirmation of the F/A-18C, F/A-18E, and F/A-18F.

MiG-29K Fulcrum-D
-The missing link between the MiG-29 Fulcrum-A and the MiG-35D Super Fulcrum. These aircraft were originally ordered by India for use with the aircraft carrier that they purchased from Russia in 2004, and have been in service with the Indian Navy since 2010. Russia also ordered some MiG-29Ks to replace the aging Su-33 Flanker-Ds that were operating from the Admiral Kusnetsov, as it was cheaper to piggyback off the order of planes for India than it was to restart production of Su-33s. As the Su-33 fleet was refurbished rather than scrapped, the MiG-29Ks that were acquired by the Russian Navy were used to supplement the Su-33 fleet rather than replace them.

Super Etendard
-One of France's most iconic naval aircraft, these strike aircraft were the predecessor to the Rafale M. This would work well as a low-tier naval attack aircraft, either in the European/French part of the tech-tree, or as one of the unlockable aircraft that are considered to be lower in the tech tree than the starter aircraft, like the F-4E Phantom II, F-104C Starfighter, and MiG-21bis Fishbed.
As there are only five hardpoints and two will be taken up by MSSL (R.550 Magic 1), the others weapons will have to fit across the last three. UGB and SFFS are unlikely to be suitable as it can only carry 6 bombs if equipped with R.550s. Going from this, I would recommend the weapon options be LAGM (AS-30L), GPB (GBU-12 Paveway II), and GRKT (TBA EEC)

In the unlikely event that the CCP change their mind with regards to the inclusion of Chinese aircraft in an Ace Combat game, then the J-15T Feisha and J-35 Blue Shark would be welcome additions too.

Originally posted by ReamedBySteem:

VR

Originally posted by ReamedBySteem:

HoTaS support.

This is why PC gamers deserve nothing

KF-21 Boramae

Probably a single seat airframe would make more sense for inclusion in the series.

All I could hope for is to see my boy, the Su-37 Terminator, back in the game. Not the strongest Flanker in ACE7, but a favourite of mine nonetheless. (Mostly because of the ACE3 skins that were added to it for the anniversary back then.)

I wonder if the Su-57 will actually bear its name of "Felon" this time around or not... Edit: It does! Huh. Confirmed in some recent social media posts that I hadn't seen at the time I posted. Though apparently, it's still modelled after a prototype from before some significant design changes...

All superplanes from Ace Combat X are very welcome

Originally posted by JB94:

KF-21 Boramae :sbgoofy:

Probably a single seat airframe would make more sense for inclusion in the series.

No Chinese and Korean craft confirmed since the license holders didn't let PA use them
Nor do so many people want those copyright infringements in AC imho tho

YA-10B Two Seater A-10
F-2 any variant
F-20 Tigershark
X-29

honestly for how many experimental russian aircraft make it into the games these days. I dunno why experimental american aircraft don't. Don't see many X or Ys in them numbers.

Originally posted by Kameraden:

YA-10B Two Seater A-10
F-2 any variant
F-20 Tigershark
X-29

honestly for how many experimental russian aircraft make it into the games these days. I dunno why experimental american aircraft don't. Don't see many X or Ys in them numbers.

There's no actual benefit for the license holders since those craft are virtually non existent today
They don't have any good reasons to promote those obscure planes

B-52

I want to go fast in my A12 Cygnus. Mach 3.3 in an air breathing black demon. Yes.

Originally posted by JB94:

KF-21 Boramae :sbgoofy:

Probably a single seat airframe would make more sense for inclusion in the series.

I'm hoping for this too. I worry that the Geopolitics of it might get in the way (Japanese game with Korean made jets might cause tension)

Originally posted by Bring back Namco:

Originally posted by JB94:

KF-21 Boramae

Probably a single seat airframe would make more sense for inclusion in the series.

No Chinese and Korean craft confirmed since the license holders didn't let PA use them
Nor do so many people want those copyright infringements in AC imho tho

Boo :<

Welp, I'll take the NATF-23 as a runner up.

Not sure how much of the game takes place aboard the aircraft carrier, but the fact that one has appeared in pretty much every piece of promo material suggests that it'd be a perfect contextual fit :>