Aigaion-class heavy command cruiser
The Aigaion-class heavy command cruiser, sometimes referred to as Moby Dick, is a class of heavy command cruisers operated by the USEA Federation during the USEAn War. USEA deployed numerous Aigaion-class command cruisers during the war,[2][3][4][5] including one over Tokyo.[1]
Aigaion-class command cruisers are powerful aerial warships; they feature either Nimbus missiles or laser units, and also function as airborne aircraft carriers. They are usually accompanied by two Gyges-class and two Kottos-class aerial warships as part of an "air fleet".[2][3][4][5]
Etymology
The name "Aigaion" comes from one of the hundred-handed giants in Greek mythology known as the Hecatoncheires. The name itself is an alternate name from Homer's Iliad for the giant otherwise known as Briareus. The other two Hecatoncheires provide the names for Gyges and Kottos.
In all instances of its full name, the class is referred to as "Aigaion class heavy command cruiser".[2][3][4][5] Here, the name "Aigaion" is italicized and a hyphen replaces the space between "Aigaion" and "class" to conform to the naval standard of class names.
History
- "Basically, in an attempt to cut down the number of aircraft they had to deploy, they decided to overengineer this gigantic flying beast of a battleship."
- ― Goodfellow[1]
The original Aigaion-class was developed by a certain nation's military to reduce the number of aircraft they had to field in battle. It was completed by 2019,[1] proving successful enough to warrant the development of more advanced models, identifiable by their colored upper fuselage. Red,[3] gold,[4] and black Aigaion-class variants were developed;[5] the gold and black models replaced the Nimbus missile launchers with powerful short-range laser units that acted as close-in weapon systems to protect the command cruiser.[4][5]
In August 2019, USEA deployed a single Aigaion-class command cruiser over Tokyo to counter the United Nations Forces and Japan Air Self-Defense Force during their attempt to liberate the city. The command cruiser carried and deployed a QFA-44 Carmilla and MQ-90L escorts controlled by the Butterfly Master, as well as manned Su-33 Flanker-Ds. AWACS Sky-Eye directed Bone Arrow and Ridgeback Squadrons to deal with the Butterfly Master and sent all other air squadrons to attack the Aigaion-class command cruiser. By the time Reaper shot down the Butterfly Master, the units attacking the command cruiser had damaged it and set it on fire, but they were shot down. Reaper followed up to disable the remaining weapons, all of the command cruiser's engines, and its cockpit, destroying it entirely. During the fight, Viper had referred to the command cruiser as a "whale" in reference to the novel Moby Dick, and Goodfellow directly called it "Moby Dick" in their debriefing;[1] AWACS Sky-Eye subsequently used the name to refer to the other models encountered during Operation Eternal Liberation.[2][3][4][5]
Following the liberation of Tokyo, Aigaion-class heavy command cruisers were deployed across Europe and Asia to bolster USEA's air power during the conflict. Whenever the UNF discovered them on the move, they initiated Operation Whale Hunt and requested all allied pilots to attack them. At least one base model was engaged over the Alps in southern Europe;[2] at least one red model was engaged over the same Troia Route[3] where USEA utilized oil facilities to support its nearby operations;[6] and at least one gold model was engaged over Comona Base.[4] Following the UNF's successful engagements, the Butterfly Master escorted all black models. At least one was engaged over Moscow.[5]
Design
The red, gold, and black models are based on the Mobile Suit Gundam character Char Aznable, who is known for operating custom Mobile Suits with greater performance and unique colors. This reference was officially stated when the red model was unveiled during Aces at Operation: "Digital Hollywood".
Gallery
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Profile view
A red Aigaion-class heavy command cruiser
A gold Aigaion-class heavy command cruiser
A black Aigaion-class heavy command cruiser
The black Aigaion-class heavy command cruiser as seen in the Operation Future Prospect trailer
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Mission 05: "Far Eastern Front", Ace Combat Infinity.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Special Raid: "Moby Dick Pursuit I", Ace Combat Infinity.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Special Raid: "Moby Dick Pursuit II", Ace Combat Infinity.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Special Raid: "Moby Dick Pursuit III", Ace Combat Infinity.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Special Raid: "Moby Dick Pursuit IV", Ace Combat Infinity.
- ↑ Online Co-Op Missions: "Pipeline Destruction (Normal/HARD)", Ace Combat Infinity.