ACE COMBAT 8 Aircraft Tree: Unlocks & MRP Prices

F/A-18C is the starting aircraft. A-6E is tied to Mission 14. FA-36, EA-36 and X-40 require campaign completion as well as their aircraft prerequisites and purchase cost. Use the reference below to check a planned purchase before choosing an MRP farming route.

This guide covers the 34 aircraft currently referenced in our database, including 30 reported first-airframe prices. It is a campaign reference, not a complete map of every tree connection or future aircraft. Costs and unlocks come from the linked reports, checked October 18, 2026; we have not independently tested them in the game. Equipment and progression spoilers follow.

Jump to aircraft prices, post-campaign paths, A-6E and bonus aircraft, purchase planning, or locked aircraft checks.

Aircraft prices and availability

Find a specific model through the searchable aircraft database, or use your browser's Find command here. Prices are for the first aircraft itself, not the entire route to it. Earlier aircraft, weapons, parts and extra copies can add costs. “Earlier prerequisites not mapped here” means missing information, not that a plane has no prerequisites. Focus the table and use arrow keys to scroll on a small screen.

Price evidence is u/Muctepukc's prelaunch roster report, compared with Destructoid's launch guide. The latter mislabels the Eagle entry; the F-15C row instead uses the wiki's AC8 section as its cross-check. We do not carry over the roster's A-6E price or its Morgan preorder label; the exceptions below explain why.

Post-campaign unlock paths

According to the linked wiki entries, finish the campaign, then follow these reported requirements:

• FA-36: own one of F-22A, F-35C or Su-57, then buy FA-36 for 750,000 MRP.
• EA-36: buy FA-36 first, then EA-36 for another 750,000 MRP.
• X-40: own one of F-22A, F-35C or Su-57, then buy X-40 for 1,000,000 MRP. The cited requirement does not call for FA-36 or EA-36.

If you already own a qualifying aircraft, do not budget for buying it again. If you own none, adding one listed 550,000-MRP aircraft gives these partial purchase subtotals: 1,300,000 for FA-36; 2,050,000 for FA-36 followed by EA-36; or 1,550,000 for X-40. These are arithmetic examples using the listed prices. They exclude any earlier tree nodes, weapons and parts, and are not verified cheapest routes from a new save.

FA-36 setups in our loadout guide are therefore replay options. Do not plan a first campaign clear around an aircraft gated behind that clear. For maneuver capability after purchase, check PSM compatibility separately.

A-6E and bonus aircraft

A-6E: the wiki's AC8 section and launch guide place its unlock after Mission 14, Two on the Run. The older roster lists 25,000 MRP, while the launch guide leaves the price blank. We mark the first-purchase price unconfirmed instead of treating a blank as zero or presenting 25,000 as settled. A later-copy price is not evidence of a first-purchase charge.

F-14A: the official FAQ describes it as a preorder bonus. That identifies the original entitlement; it does not establish that the preorder offer is still available or that campaign MRP can buy it.

ADFX-02 Morgan–PIXY–: the same official FAQ identifies it as a Season 1 Premium ACE PASS reward and says campaign use requires completing all campaign missions. Check the entitlement on your platform account. A future separate sale is described as planned, not something this guide confirms is available now. Do not use the older roster's “preorder” label for this aircraft.

The official FAQ also says Campaign and Online have separate progression and save data. A campaign purchase is not proof that the aircraft is unlocked online.

Budget for your next purchase

1. Choose the objective and special weapon you need. Check that the exact aircraft variant carries it; F/A-18C, E and F are distinct entries.
2. In your Aircraft Tree, inspect the locked node, connected prerequisites and current campaign gate. This page only maps the three post-campaign paths above.
3. Add the remaining aircraft purchases and the displayed price of your chosen weapon or part. Do not count equipment you already own twice, or assume a universal percentage for weapons and extra airframes.
4. Subtract your current spendable MRP. Use the remaining amount and your measured replay income in the MRP guide. Cumulative achievement earnings are not your wallet balance.

The database links each of its 34 models to the corresponding row so you can compare these references with your own game.

Why an aircraft is still locked

• Enough MRP, unavailable node: inspect mission gates and required earlier purchases before farming more. For the three late-game aircraft, check campaign completion and the reported path above.
• A bonus aircraft is missing: check the correct account, platform entitlement and reward redemption; a regular MRP purchase may not be the acquisition route. Morgan also has a campaign-use gate.
• Online hangar differs from campaign: check Online progression separately; the campaign table is not an online price list.
• Your displayed price differs: confirm the aircraft variant, game version, first versus additional copy, and whether the number is for an aircraft, weapon or part. Use the current in-game value for your budget and treat conflicting reports as unresolved.

How do I unlock FA-36 and EA-36 in ACE COMBAT 8?+

The cited wiki reports require campaign completion. FA-36 then requires one of F-22A, F-35C or Su-57; EA-36 requires FA-36. Each of the two late-game aircraft is listed at 750,000 MRP for its first purchase. Earlier prerequisite costs are not included.

Does X-40 require buying FA-36 and EA-36?+

The cited X-40 entry requires campaign completion and one of F-22A, F-35C or Su-57, followed by its 1,000,000-MRP purchase. It does not list the FA-36 to EA-36 chain as a requirement.

Is this the complete ACE COMBAT 8 aircraft tree?+

No. It covers our current 34 aircraft references, reported first-airframe prices and specific sourced acquisition conditions. Most earlier tree connections, extra-copy prices and online requirements are not mapped here.

Unlock facts adapted from Ace Combat Wiki contributors are attributed above; the adapted wiki material remains under CC BY-SA 4.0. Our table arrangement and budgeting examples are editorial additions.