Online aircraft upgrades: levels, caps, blueprints and weapon slots

Separate the progression screens

The publisher guide distinguishes mercenary rank, which expands aircraft access, from aircraft leveling, which improves stats and abilities. Campaign and Online progress are separate.

A locked slot is not necessarily a missing DLC entitlement or a requirement to buy a higher-tier plane.

Check whether you can buy the cap upgrade now

Cheap_Ad432’s current Reddit post says the cap upgrade can be purchased with the required Zoll and blueprints before the aircraft reaches that cap. The point is to obtain access to the next set of parts or ability slots sooner, then earn aircraft levels through play.

1. Read the required materials on your selected aircraft’s upgrade screen.
2. Compare your stock of Zoll and blueprints with that displayed cost.
3. Check which slots the proposed upgrade opens before confirming it.
4. After upgrading, verify both the new cap and the aircraft’s actual level. They are different values.

This is a community-reported method, not an audited cost table. Do not copy a Morgan cost onto a Hornet or assume every next cap uses the same blueprint type.

Try upgrading the plane you enjoy

In the ACO Jet Selection thread, Kappatalism recommends F-14A/D or MiG-31 for Assault and reports second special-weapon access around level 15+. Talbrys reports satisfactory Hornet performance around level 10. These are different players’ preferences, not guaranteed universal breakpoints.

Check the exact aircraft’s menu rather than treating “15+” as an unlock instruction for the entire roster. A later aircraft may require more materials; buying it does not finish its upgrades. Compare the next useful upgrade on your current plane against the cost of starting another one.

For access problems, use F-14A ownership checks or Morgan season redemption. For missing special missions, there is no proven upgrade requirement that triggers them.