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"They are not our usual thugs. Their Fulcrums are a hell of a lot better than the rebel crates."
― Lion 2
The MiG-29A Fulcrum is a fourth-generationfighter. It made its debut in Air Combat and has since been featured in multiple subsequent Ace Combat titles.
In the Strangereal universe, the original MiG-29A was developed and adopted by various air forces as a mid-level air superiority aircraft, roughly equal to the F-16C Fighting Falcon, but was mainly used for air-to-ground missions, in contrast to the more air-to-air focused F-16. MIG-29As saw extensive usage during the Belkan War by both Belka and Ustio as frontline fighters, with various notable pilots using such jets in frontline operations.[1][2] One of the most notable Fulcrum units was the Belkan 13th Tactical Fighter Squadron GrauWespe, which gained fame on the western fronts before being shot down in the Battle of B7R.[3]
Fulcrums were fielded in the Lighthouse War.[8], they were operated both by the OADF, of which Champ, a member of the OADF's 444th Fighter Squadron was a notable operator, and the Erusean Air Force. Joe Barker, Callsign: Jester, was the most notable Erusean MiG-29 pilot.[9]
On June 30, 2020, at least five Estovakian Air Force MiG-29As were showcased at Redmill Air Force Base alongside foreign aircraft at a ceremony commemorating 25 years since the Belkan War's conclusion. The Estovakian military had sent these aircraft among others after being invited by the Osean Federation.[10] Later that year, during the Aurelian War, the Leasath Air Force utilized the aircraft in moderate numbers.[11]
Joint Assault universe
During the Valahia Crisis, the MiG-29A followed a similar path as it did in Strangereal, with no other models being known to be in operation. It was the preferred aircraft of Faryd Gaviria prior to his desertion from Martinez Security, and was deployed in large numbers by the Valahia in their terrorism campaign.[12]
Within the Assault Horizon universe, the MiG-29A was the main small-scale fighter aircraft of the Russian Air Force, with various squadrons operating A-model units by the 2010s. Government loyalists and New Russian Federation supporters used Fulcrums during the 2015-2016 civil war in Russia, including the Molot Squadron, which accompanied the Warwolf Squadron throughout the campaign to terminate the coup by destroying the NRF leadership in Moscow.[13] The MiG-29ME export model was also developed in this world, differing only in the adoption of canards for increased mobility; several airframes were given by the Blatnoi to Nigerian anti-government troops during the 2021 civil war.[14]
"A medium-sized fighter developed as a replacement for contemporary lead planes such as the MiG-21. Its excellent handling makes it a superior fighter, and it was predicted to be pitted against the F-15. Its nickname is "Lastochka", the Russian word for the swift-flying swallow."
Erusea: Black upper body based on MiG-29K prototype. (Unlocked by earning the "First Try" medal: Destroy 50 or more ground targets without using the Return Line in Campaign Mission 06, "Long Day".)
Special: Yellow body with black accents; based on MiG-29A no. 526 and 925 from the Gromov Flight Research Institute. (Unlocked after shooting down JESTER)
"A medium-sized master fighter developed as the successor to the MiG-21. In a one-on-one dogfight, it has strong maneuvering capabilities due to its refined aerodynamics. Though it is similar in shape to the Su-27, which was developed around the same time, it was built smaller in size since it is used in close proximity to front-line bases. Its NATO codename is "Fulcrum"."
"TYPE: F (FIGHTER) A medium-sized master fighter developed as the successor to the MiG-21. In a one-on-one dogfight, it has strong maneuvering capabilities due to its refined aerodynamics. Though it is similar in shape to the Su-27, which was developed around the same time, it was built smaller in size since it is used in close proximity to front-line bases. Its NATO codename is "Fulcrum"."
"This fighter was developed with the goal of overpowering the enemy in one-on-one combat. The "Fulcrum" boasts powerful engines and refined aerodynamics for superb maneuverability."
"This fighter was developed with the goal of overpowering the enemy in one-on-one combat. The Fulcrum boasts powerful engines and refined aerodynamics for superb maneuverability and handling."
Gallery
<gallery bordersize="none" hideaddbutton="true">
Ac mig-29c1.png|MIG-29 in default player color
Ac mig-29c2.png|MIG-29 in enemy color
<gallery>
Trivia
The in-game model for MiG-29A depicted since Ace Combat 5 features a retractable refueling probe, but it does not have the dorsal tank extension seen in latter variants such as MiG-29SMT (9-17/9-19). The real-world variant matching the in-game appearence is MiG-29SD (9-12SD), a modified variant based on the original MiG-29A (9-12) with the retractable refueling probe added. A sub-variant of MiG-29SMT (9-18) with the dorsal tank extension removed also has this appearence, however its upgraded cockpit with multi-function display units largely differs to the cockpit of MiG-29A.
The crimson body color available for the MiG-29A in Shattered Skies and Joint Assault is a homage to the 1999 manga Red Prowling Devil, in which the mercenary protagonist flies a customized Fulcrum painted with the same color.
The nickname "Lastochka" in the description in Skies Unknown is a reference to an unofficial nickname Japan uses to refer the MiG-29. The name also is seen on the Muv-Luv franchise of visual novels, particularly the MiG-29 Lastochka, a Soviet Tactical Surface Fighter (TSF) from the franchise.
Footnotes
↑Players could use one Nonstandard Upgrade Request Form instead of credits for the Lv.6 upgrade.