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There is no single best plane for every mission in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. The strongest pick depends on whether you need to win air-to-air fights, clear ground targets, or handle a mixed objective—and on which aircraft and special weapons you have unlocked. This ranking is an editorial guide based on mission fit, special-weapon usefulness, unlock timing, and whether a plane requires DLC; it is not a measured performance tier list.
How to choose the best plane in Ace Combat 7
Build your loadout around the mission’s targets. Bandai Namco’s official aircraft guide explains that standard missiles attack ground targets one at a time, while 8AGM can attack up to eight ground targets simultaneously. That makes a plane carrying an effective ground-attack weapon a better fit for target-heavy missions than an aircraft chosen only for air combat.
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- Mission role: Decide whether the objective is mainly air-to-air, air-to-ground, or mixed.
- Special-weapon fit: Check whether the plane’s available weapon options suit the targets you need to engage.
- Unlock timing: Consider where the aircraft sits in the Aircraft Tree and how much progression it takes to reach it.
- Availability: Separate base-game recommendations from optional aircraft DLC, which may vary by platform or edition.
The official material describes aircraft, weapons, and progression, but does not provide a common measured comparison that establishes one plane as universally superior. The recommendations below are therefore role-based, not claims of tested superiority.
Best planes, ranked by practical role
1. Best all-around choice: a capable aircraft with a weapon suited to the mission
For a general-purpose pick, prioritize a plane whose special weapon matches the mission rather than chasing a single supposed top aircraft. In a mission with numerous ground targets, a loadout with 8AGM can engage several at once; in an air-combat-focused mission, choose a special weapon and aircraft setup intended for opposing aircraft. The right all-around plane is the one that can contribute to the actual objectives without forcing you into an ill-suited role.
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2. Best for ground attack: an 8AGM-equipped option
When a sortie asks you to destroy many ground targets, 8AGM is a particularly useful weapon example: Bandai Namco says it can destroy up to eight ground enemies simultaneously. This is a mission-fit advantage, not evidence that every aircraft carrying it outranks every alternative. Check the aircraft’s tree entry and available weapons before committing to that route.
3. Best for air combat: choose for the opposing aircraft and your available weapons
For air-to-air objectives, select an aircraft with a special weapon appropriate to engaging enemy planes. The official sources reviewed do not establish a definitive order among the F-22A, Su-57, X-02S, ADF-11F, or other aircraft, so naming one as the objective best would overstate what the published comparisons support. Treat specific aircraft recommendations as role choices, not a universal tier list.
4. Best DLC example for specialized weapon choices: ADF-11F Raven
The ADF-11F Raven is an optional DLC aircraft, not a base-game pick for every player. Its official Steam listing says it can select TLS, QAAM, or UAV and requires the base game. Those options make it an example of a DLC plane with distinct weapon choices; they do not prove it is objectively the best aircraft.
5. Best later-tree pick: the aircraft that completes your current mission need
Later unlocks may offer appealing options, but a longer path through the Aircraft Tree does not by itself make a plane a better recommendation. The F-22A, Su-57, X-02S, and other late or specialized aircraft cannot be reliably ranked against one another using the official sources available here. Choose based on role and weapon fit, and weigh the time needed to reach the aircraft against what your current missions require.
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How aircraft unlocks work
Aircraft, custom parts, and special weapons are acquired through the Aircraft Tree using MRP earned in campaign and multiplayer. The tree branches, so the route you choose affects which aircraft and equipment you reach first. Bandai Namco says progressing through the game can unlock all aircraft, parts, and special weapons; multiplayer rank is required for multiplayer-only parts. Plan a branch around the aircraft or weapon that serves your next objective rather than spending MRP as though every route were interchangeable.
Which planes require DLC?
Aircraft DLC is optional and requires the base game. Bandai Namco’s official DLC catalog lists, among other add-ons, these aircraft sets:
| Set | Aircraft listed | Availability note |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting-edge Aircraft Series | F/A-18F Super Hornet Block III; F-2A -Super Kai-; MiG-35D Super Fulcrum | DLC aircraft set; the catalog says add-ons require the separately sold base game. |
| Experimental Aircraft Series | F-15 S/MTD; F-16XL; FB-22 Strike Raptor | DLC aircraft set; the catalog says add-ons require the separately sold base game. |
| ADF-11F Raven Set | ADF-11F Raven | Steam listing requires the base game and names TLS, QAAM, and UAV as selectable weapons. |
Check the platform storefront and bundle contents before buying: Bandai Namco warns that bundles and individual DLC items can overlap, and availability is platform-dependent.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does the edition change which planes you get?
Yes. Bandai Namco’s July 11, 2024 Switch Deluxe Edition announcement says that edition includes the base game, three original aircraft sets (ADF-11F Raven, ADF-01 FALKEN, and ADFX-01 Morgan), three special missions, Music Player Mode, F-104C -Avril-, F-4E Phantom II, and other bonuses. The announcement also says additional DLC can be bought separately on Switch. Bandai Namco lists the game for PlayStation, Xbox, and Steam as well, but edition contents differ by platform; confirm the exact edition rather than assuming the Switch bundle applies elsewhere.
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A simple way to pick your next aircraft
- Read the mission objective. Identify whether you need to attack aircraft, ground targets, or both.
- Match a special weapon to that objective. For example, consider 8AGM when the mission emphasizes multiple ground targets.
- Check the Aircraft Tree branch and MRP cost. Decide whether the route is worth pursuing now or whether an already-unlocked plane can do the job.
- Confirm whether the plane is DLC. If it is, verify the add-on and base-game requirements for your platform and avoid duplicate purchases across bundles.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
