Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve takes off on October 2, 2026, and the first question every pilot has is a simple one. What can I actually fly? Bandai Namco has promised more than 30 playable jets, but its official list only names 18 of them so far. This Ace Combat 8 aircraft guide pulls every known plane into one place, including the officially confirmed roster, jets spotted in trailers and livestreams, and the bonus aircraft tied to pre orders and the Ace Pass.
How Many Aircraft Are in Ace Combat 8?
Bandai Namco has confirmed more than 30 playable Ace Combat 8 aircraft for the full game. The complete list has not been published yet, but between the official site, trailers, and developer streams, most of the roster is already out in the open.
| Category | Planes Known | Source |
| Named on the official aircraft page | 18 | Bandai Namco’s Ace Combat 8 website |
| Spotted in trailers and livestreams | 11 | Official trailers, developer diary, Japanese livestream |
| Pre order bonus aircraft | 1 (F-14A) | Official edition details |
| Premium Ace Pass aircraft | 1 (ADFX-02 Morgan Pixy) | Official FAQ |
| Total names known so far | 31 |
That puts the base game at 29 known jets. Since Bandai Namco says the roster goes past 30, expect at least a couple more reveals before or at launch.
Ace Combat 8 Aircraft Roles Explained
Every plane in the game belongs to one of four roles. These matter far more than in Ace Combat 7, because the online mode is built around team composition and some events even lock certain roles out.
| Role | What It Does | Where It Shines Online |
| Fighter | Air to air combat and hunting enemy jets | Pressuring and shutting down enemy Ace aircraft |
| Attacker | Hitting ground and sea targets | Racking up score fast and chasing Ace status |
| Multirole | A mix of air and ground ability | Filling whatever gap your squad has |
| Electronic Warfare | Jamming, recon, and support | Backing up allies and disrupting enemies |
Online matches in Co Op Warfare use a Threat Level system. The more you score without getting shot down, the more stars you earn, and three stars makes you an Ace. The catch is that a high Threat Level also makes you a juicy target, since opponents get extra points for taking you down. That is exactly why fighters and attackers play such different jobs in a squad.
Officially Confirmed Ace Combat 8 Aircraft
These 18 Ace Combat 8 aircraft appear on Bandai Namco’s dedicated aircraft page, each with an official role. This is the most reliable part of the roster.
| Aircraft | Role | What Stands Out |
| F/A-18F Super Hornet | Multirole | Twin seat carrier jet redesigned for more range and a bigger weapons load |
| F/A-18C Hornet | Multirole | Upgraded Hornet with stronger engines and radar, handles air, ground, and anti ship weapons |
| F-35C Lightning II | Multirole | Stealthy navy variant that can be set up for either air or ground missions |
| F-4E Phantom II | Multirole | Big, heavily armed veteran that once set multiple speed records |
| Su-33 Flanker-D | Multirole | Carrier version of the Su-27 with canards for better handling at low and mid speeds |
| Mirage 2000-5 | Multirole | Light delta wing jet with no tail wing, known for balanced speed and very stable flight |
| F-14D Super Tomcat | Fighter | Swing wings that adjust on their own, plus long range air to air missiles |
| F-15C Eagle | Fighter | Twin engine air superiority classic with great speed, agility, and endurance |
| Typhoon | Fighter | Jointly developed delta wing jet with strong stability and heavy firepower |
| Su-57 Felon | Fighter | Russian stealth fighter with thrust vectoring for razor sharp control |
| MiG-29A Fulcrum | Fighter | Excellent turner designed for close range knife fights |
| MiG-31B Foxhound | Fighter | Massive interceptor built for top end speed and long range missile shots |
| F-2A | Attacker | F-16 based jet nicknamed Viper Zero, strongest against ships but can still dogfight |
| A-10C Thunderbolt II | Attacker | Tough close air support jet with a 30mm gun and good agility at low speed |
| Su-25SM Frogfoot | Attacker | Ground attack specialist protected by titanium armor |
| Su-34 Fullback | Attacker | Fast, armored fighter bomber that can still defend itself in the air |
| EA-6B Prowler | Electronic | Jamming and recon specialist that excels at breaking down enemy air defenses |
| EA-18G Growler | Electronic | Prowler successor based on the Super Hornet, mixing attack power with self defense missiles |
One thing jumps out when you scan this list. A huge chunk of it is carrier based, from the Hornet family to the Su-33, F-35C, and F-14D. That fits the story perfectly, since your home base is the Endurance, an old aircraft carrier packed with refugees after the FCU navy gets wiped out.
Ace Combat 8 Planes Spotted in Trailers and Livestreams
These jets are not on the official aircraft page yet, but they have shown up in official footage and are tracked as playable by the Ace Combat Wiki. Treat them as very likely, not locked in.
| Aircraft | First Seen | Quick Note |
| F-22A Raptor | Deluxe Edition Trailer (June 2026) | Stealth air superiority jet and a series regular |
| F/A-18E Super Hornet | Announcement Trailer (December 2025) | Single seat Super Hornet flown by Joker Flight in reveal shots |
| F-16C Fighting Falcon | Release Date Trailer (June 2026) | Light, nimble all rounder |
| F-15E Strike Eagle | Release Date Trailer (June 2026) | Strike focused version of the Eagle |
| Rafale M | Release Date Trailer (June 2026) | Navy version of the French Rafale |
| F-15J | Developer Diary (April 2026) | Japanese variant of the Eagle |
| A-6E Intruder | Developer Diary (April 2026) | Classic navy attacker and the base for the Prowler |
| Gripen E | Walkthrough Trailer (June 2026) | Compact Swedish multirole jet |
| MiG-21bis Fishbed | Walkthrough Trailer (June 2026) | Cold War veteran that keeps coming back |
| Su-35S Flanker-E | Japanese livestream (August 8, 2026) | Highly maneuverable Flanker variant |
| Su-47 Berkut | Japanese livestream (August 8, 2026) | Forward swept wings and a series icon since Ace Combat 04 |
Bonus and Premium Ace Pass Aircraft
Two more planes sit outside the base roster, and both come with specific conditions.
F-14A Tomcat (Pre Order Bonus)
Pre ordering any edition of the game gets you the F-14A as a playable aircraft, along with Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War. Do not mix it up with the F-14D Super Tomcat from the main roster. They are separate entries. Whether the F-14A will be sold on its own after the pre order window closes is still TBA.
ADFX-02 Morgan Pixy (Premium Ace Pass Season 1)
This is the only fictional jet confirmed so far, and it comes with a fun nod to the past. The Morgan is the superweapon jet Pixy flew in Ace Combat Zero, which also happens to be the pre order bonus game. Here is how it works:
- It is the Level 1 reward of the Season 1 Premium Ace Pass, so you get it the moment you own the pass.
- The Deluxe Edition includes a Premium Ace Pass Plus voucher, which unlocks the Morgan right away.
- You can fly it online immediately, but in Campaign Mode it only unlocks after you finish every campaign mission.
- Each Ace Pass season runs for two months. Bandai Namco plans to sell pass aircraft separately once their season ends, so missing Season 1 does not mean missing the Morgan forever.
Deluxe Edition Aircraft Skins
The Deluxe Edition also adds two special liveries: an F-4E Mobius Squadron 25th Anniversary skin and an F/A-18C Team Zvezda skin. Both work in online play and become available in Campaign Mode after you clear all missions. They are purely cosmetic, with no stat boosts.
Ace Combat 8 Aircraft You Will See but Cannot Fly
Plenty of other aircraft fill the skies without being playable. So far these include the A-50 and E-2C Hawkeye early warning planes, the Il-78 tanker, the Mi-24 Hind and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, the V-22, and two unmanned or special units called the MQ-19 and the Podarge. Expect some of these to show up as targets, allies, or escort objectives during missions.
How to Unlock Aircraft in Ace Combat 8?
Campaign and online play use completely separate progression for Ace Combat 8 aircraft, so unlocking a jet in one mode does not unlock it in the other. The good news is that both modes share the same roster.
| Mode | How You Unlock Planes | How You Upgrade Them |
| Campaign | Spend MRP, the currency you earn by completing missions | Mix and match parts to build a jet for each mission |
| Ace Combat Online | Raise your mercenary rank and earn rewards | Jets level up by surviving sorties, boosting stats and unlocking new abilities |
Online planes can also be customized with skins, emblems, and weathering. Exact MRP prices for each aircraft are TBA, since Bandai Namco has not published them and the full unlock tree will only be clear at launch.
Which Ace Combat 8 Aircraft Should You Fly First?
Nobody can give you an honest tier list yet, because no full stat sheets for Ace Combat 8 aircraft are public. What you can do is plan around the role system:
- Match the jet to the mission. Dogfight heavy missions call for fighters, while ground and naval strikes suit attackers. The F-2A is officially built for hitting ships, so keep it in mind for sea missions.
- Start with multirole if you are unsure. Jets like the F/A-18F and F-35C give you room to handle both air and ground targets while you learn the game.
- Think team first online. Attackers are the fastest route to Ace status, fighters are your best answer to an enemy Ace, and electronic jets keep your squad alive.
- Do not put everything into one role. Limited time online events can include cost limits or role restrictions, so a spread of leveled up jets will save you headaches.
Ready to Fly? Grab Ace Combat 8 at the Best Price
Once you have decided whether you are diving into Ace Combat 7 first or heading straight for Wings of Theve, the next step is simple: do not overpay for your copy. Driffle has Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve listed at one of the most competitive prices you will find anywhere, so you get the exact same day one experience on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, or PC without paying full sticker price.
Lock in your key early, get your aircraft carrier ready, and be sitting in the cockpit the moment Wings of Theve goes live on October 2, 2026.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1. How many planes are in Ace Combat 8?
Ans: Bandai Namco has confirmed more than 30 playable aircraft. So far, 31 names are known, including 18 on the official aircraft page, 11 spotted in trailers and streams, the F-14A pre order bonus, and the ADFX-02 Morgan from the Premium Ace Pass.
Q2. Is the F-22 Raptor in Ace Combat 8?
Ans: Yes. The F-22A Raptor appeared in the Deluxe Edition trailer, though it has not been added to the official aircraft page yet.
Q3. Is the Su-47 Berkut in Ace Combat 8?
Ans: Yes. The Su-47 Berkut was shown during an official Japanese livestream on August 8, 2026, alongside the Su-35S Flanker-E.
Q4. What is the difference between the F-14A and the F-14D in Ace Combat 8?
Ans: The F-14D Super Tomcat is part of the regular roster. The F-14A is a separate aircraft given as a pre order bonus with every edition.
Q5. How do I get the ADFX-02 Morgan in Ace Combat 8?
Ans: It is the Level 1 reward of the Season 1 Premium Ace Pass. The Deluxe Edition voucher unlocks it instantly. In Campaign Mode, it only becomes usable after you complete every mission.
Q6. Do aircraft unlocked in the campaign carry over to online mode?
Ans: No. Ace Combat Online has its own save data and progression, so you need to earn planes again through your mercenary rank.
Q7. Will Ace Combat 8 get more aircraft after launch?
Ans: Bandai Namco has not shared its DLC plans yet, but each Premium Ace Pass season can include playable aircraft, and those jets are planned for separate sale once the season ends.
Q8. Are there loot boxes for aircraft in Ace Combat 8?
Ans: No. Bandai Namco has confirmed the game has no paid loot boxes or randomized paid rewards, and you can see all content before you buy.
