OVERVIEW

F-35C with single-use range-type wingman UAV and loadout swap to single-target missiles .

DETAILS

This mod swaps F-35C's special weapons to single-target weapons, and adds one-time UAV that can be spawned with droptank-trigger (hold weapon switch button). The drone can be given command to attack a specific target with its long-range missiles, or to support the player with its range-enhancing data link.

FEATURES


Wingman MQ-99 UAV added as auxiliary (droptank-trigger) weapon. This once-per-mission drone can be spawned by droptank-trigger (hold weapon switch button), which will fly close to the player and provide range-enhancing data link by default.


Command: Attack can be triggered by pressing Muiltiplayer Radio Message Up button (default is Up in DPad; check keybind settings). This command orders the Wingman UAV to attack currently selected target with long-range missiles from a distance.


Command: Support can be triggered by pressing Muiltiplayer Radio Message Down button (default is Down in DPad; check keybind settings). This command
orders the Wingman UAV to follow the player and provide support with range-enhancing data link, greatly increasing player's MSL and special weapons range


Single-Target Missiles Loadout replaces F-35C's standard SOD/4AAM/8AGM loadout. SOD is replaced by single-target high-explosive long-range multi-purpose missile (1HLMM), a long range missile capable of targeting air and ground targets with moderate blast radius and damage, but long reload time and slow lock on speed. 4AAM is replaced by 1AAM, a single-target version of 4AAM with minor proportional guidance and increased load count from 4 to 6. 8AGM is replaced by 1AGM, a single-target version of 8AGM with increased load count from 8 to 12. All weapons use the same model as the weapons they replace.


Extends Existing Loadout Mod. As alternate version from the single-target loadout, this mod's Extension Version can extend existing loadout mod for F-35C, applying the Wingman UAV feature while retaining the existing loadout mod. See compatibility list below.

INSTALLATION

This mod comes with 5 choices for installation. For simple installs, Standalone and Extension versions are separate downloads. Choose one that works
for you:

SIMPLE INSTALL, ALL SLOTS, STANDALONE VERSION - If you want the version with custom loadout (1HLMM/1AAM/1AGM) to apply to all skin slots of F-35C. [One file install]

1. In the Files section of the mod page, download the "Simple Install All Slots Standalone" archive file.
2. Extract the .pak file contained within to your game's ~mods folder
    The folder should be placed in <ACE COMBAT 7>/Game/Content/Paks/

SIMPLE INSTALL, ALL SLOTS, EXTENSION VERSION - If you want the version that utilizes other installed F-35C loadout swap mod to apply to
all skin slots of F-35C. [One file install]

1. In the Files section of the mod page, download the "Simple Install All Slots Extension" archive file.
2. Extract the .pak file contained within to your game's ~mods folder
    The folder should be placed in <ACE COMBAT 7>/Game/Content/Paks/

SIMPLE INSTALL, ONE SLOT, STANDALONE VERSION - If you want the version with custom loadout (1HLMM/1AAM/1AGM) to apply to only one skin slot (your choice) of F-35C. [One file install]

1. In the Files section of the mod page, download the "Simple Install One Slot Standalone" archive file.
2. Extract the .pak file for the skin slot you want contained within to your game's ~mods folder
    The folder should be placed in <ACE COMBAT 7>/Game/Content/Paks/

SIMPLE INSTALL, ONE SLOT, EXTENSION VERSION - If you want the version that utilizes other installed F-35C loadout swap to apply to only one skin slot (your choice) of F-35C. [One file install]

1. In the Files section of the mod page, download the "Simple Install One Slot Extension" archive file.
2. Extract the .pak file for the skin slot you want contained within to your game's ~mods folder
    The folder should be placed in <ACE COMBAT 7>/Game/Content/Paks/

ADVANCED INSTALL - If you want to have both versions loadout (custom from this mod and another installed loadout extended with UAV) to apply to (different) skin slots of F-35C. [Multiple files install]

1. In the Files section of the mod page, download the "Advanced Install" archive file.
2. Extract the .pak file with "(Base)" in its name to your game's ~mods folder
3. Extract the .pak file(s) for the skin slot(s) you want (the ones with "Skin <number>" in its name) to your game's ~mods folder
            Skin selector file for Standalone version is indicated by "(Standalone)" filename
            Skin selector file for Extension version is indicated by "(Extension)" filename
    The ~mods folder should be placed in <ACE COMBAT 7>/Game/Content/Paks/

*For Simple Install One Skin and Advanced Install options, Skin 1 is unavailable as choice due to technicalities of the game. All slots version also does not apply to Skin 1 for a similar reason.
**Skin slots 7-16 requires Additional Skin Slots mod by sincerity2103
***Installing "Extension" version without existing F-35C weapon swap mods will give it basic F-35C loadout (SOD/4AAM/8AGM)

MODS TESTED FOR COMPATIBILITY:

• F-35C -LZ Weapon Swap 1-: Compatible
• F35C Maneuver Enhance: Compatible
• F-35C LSWM: Compatible
• F-35C LACM AAM and AGM Swap: Compatible
• F-35C -Stealth- (Block1, Base Version): Compatible
• F-35C -Stealth- (Block2, Base Version): Compatible
• F-35C -Stealth- (Block1, Mako Version): Compatible
• F-35C -Stealth- (Block2, Mako Version): Compatible
• Naruto 607's SpW Swap, F-35C Module: Limited compatibility - Can only apply loadout(s) that are on Skin 1/2/3 (see "Notes For Modders" for technical detail)
• Aces' Choice, F-35C Swap: Compatible
• NPB Weapons Swap Pack, F-35C: Compatible
• Lanze's Weapon Pack, F-35C Module: Compatible
• Enhanced Gunplay: Compatible
• Skies Rebalanced: Compatible
• Skies Revamped, F-35C Module: Compatible
• F-35C SpW Revamped: Compatible
• RendeZook-able F-35C: Compatible
• All Aircraft PSM and Alt Height: Compatible
• Ace Combat 7 PC VR Patch: Not Compatible (see "Notes For Modders")
  

NOTES FOR MODDERS:
 

• The "Compatibility" mod inherits AcePlayerPawn_f35c. If a mod modifies the plane pawn, AcePlayerPawn_f35c, then the "Compatible" version can inherit it. However, it will not inherit custom plane pawns or skin pawn edits.
  
  • For this reason, Naruto 607's SpW Swap have limited compatibility - some loadout edits are applied to AcePlayerPawn_f35c (which can be extended by Wingman UAV), while some use custom pawn (AcePlayerPawn_f35cbolt) and/or have further edit in skin pawn. These loadouts are not handled by this mod on any version and therefore cannot have Wingman UAV applied to them.
  • Ace Combat 7 PC VR Patch mod extends base F-35C pawn and is applied to last Additional Skin Slot by a specific skin pawn, will conflict with this mod.
    
• The drone uses separate model and texture files from the UAV model in-game. The files are as follows:
  
  • /Game/Vehicles/Weapons/w_uavbuddy_mq99/w_uavbuddy_mq99_SM for model
  • /Game/Vehicles/Weapons/w_uavbuddy_mq99/Textures/w_uavbuddy_mq99_D for diffuse
  • /Game/Vehicles/Weapons/w_uavbuddy_mq99/Textures/w_uavbuddy_mq99_MREC for MREC
  • /Game/Vehicles/Weapons/w_uavbuddy_mq99/Textures/w_uavbuddy_mq99_N for normal
  • /Game/Vehicles/Weapons/w_uavbuddy_mq99/Material/w_uavbuddy_mq99_Inst for material instance.
    
• Mods to change models and/or textures are welcome. The texture files are the same as NPC MQ-99's (using different file path for separation). BelkanLoyalist's MQ-99 Template can be used for the drone's textures.
• As of v1.1 update, source files for WingmanUAV has been released. These files require the Nimbus Project Template files and the additional files, which can all be found here: Ace Combat 7 Modding Wiki - Developer Resources (All files under "UE4"). (Note: Files in the downloaded archive may not be complete - some references might be broken)
  

FURTHER NOTES & KNOWN ISSUES

• Not compatible with weapon swap or model mods for F-35C unless explicitly stated (in the compatibility section above)
• The UAV is single-use only per mission. Once used, it cannot be replenished by return line or phase change. Using return line also despawns the UAV.
  Restarting from checkpoint allows the UAV to be respawned (with droptank-trigger).
• On death or mission phase change, the UAV leaves behind its friendly target box
• The UAV cannot be targeted or shot down by normal enemy fire, but can be shot down by CIWS or missile-intercepting lasers
• The UAV's speed may cause its missiles to miss or flight pattern to be erratic. Flying low while the UAV has not slowed down may also risk the UAV crashing.
• When scrolling up/down using up/down button of controller to select Special Weapon during return line session, drone command SFX will play (if those buttons are used for MP radio button up/down as well).
  
  • If this is done before deploying the drone, it will disable drone deployment
    
    

If you find any issues, please report them to me through this mod page

CREDITS

• Project Aces, for making the game
• All parties involved in the making of tools and resources used: UnrealEngine 4.18.3, UAssetGUI v1.0.0.7, UnrealPakEnhanced, UModelAC7, Nimbus template project and additions, and more.
• Get Home, Be Home, Stay Home, a Discord server lead by xBlazededge as a place for modding and hanging out, for all knowledge shared and
  assistance given (come join us and help us grow Ace Combat modding!)
• You, for reading and giving this mod a chance.
  

AUTHOR NOTES

The original plan for this mod was to have the UAV fly alongside the F-35C ever since the start of mission and persists/respawns on phase change. However, this plan had sparked tons of issues that are difficult to fix: multiple HUD box persisting, UAV spawning in integrated takeoff phase (mission 1, mission 5), multiple UAV spawning in resupply takeoff, etc. Due to those, the current version - spawned by DPTK - was chosen.

There are surely more rooms for improvement / to be researched into - UAV weapon cycling with LEFT/RIGHT (RADIO ON/OFF) buttons, integrate with HUD elements, allowing free engagement for the drone, and more. However, the release version should be adequate as a proof-of-concept of UAV as wingman.