Ace Combat 8 Aircraft Tree: campaign purchases and squad copies

Why one owned aircraft may not fill the squad

The FAQ describes purchasing aircraft for multiple squad positions rather than treating one unlocked node as unlimited copies. Steam achievement metadata separately recognizes buying the same aircraft for wingmen, which supports the existence of that task.

Check the count attached to the actual aircraft. A plane available for the player and enough copies for the crew are different ownership states. The source does not provide every current tree connection, so this page does not draw an invented branch map.

Budget for the displayed copy price

If the displayed first price is P and your version follows the reported discount, one additional copy is P ÷ 8. Three additional copies would total 3P ÷ 8, making four copies together 1.375P. These are calculations from the reported rule, not separate prices measured by this site.

1. Choose the aircraft that serves the squad’s job.
2. Read its first price, current ownership count and copy price.
3. Compare the actual amount with the discount calculation.
4. Leave budget for weapons and parts you still need.

Do not assume the discounted copy bypasses story prerequisites or a missing DLC entitlement.

From purchase to squad use

For the actual post-story crew arrangement, use wingman aircraft sets. Their special weapons follow the aircraft-based crew rule, not an independently copied player loadout.

If you want FA-36 or EA-36 copies, first inspect the reported Mission 30 gate. If your question is an Online level cap, use Online progression. Campaign MRP spending and the online upgrade loop should be planned separately.