X-44

* AFD Storm
* AFD Strike

"*Based on the F/A-22, this fighter bomber has improved stealth and a sizeable payload. Just don't confront other aircraft.*"
―Harry's description of this plane in the shop.
The **X-44 MANTA (Multi-Axis No Tail Aircraft)** was an experimental technology demonstrator developed by Lockheed Martin based on the F/A-22 Raptor, intended to test the feasibility of craft that functioned with vectoring thrust alone. Funding for the project was cancelled in 2000. This aircraft appears in both *Airforce Delta Storm* and *Airforce Delta Strike*. It was known in *Storm* as the **XF-0001 Mercury**. This craft is used by Bravo Squadron, and can be used by Holst Prendre and Pedro Glankert.

## Design

### *Airforce Delta Storm*

Believe it or not, this is actually the more realistic version of the X-44. It has large, rounded delta wings, and, of course, an absence of vertical stabilizers.

### *Airforce Delta Strike*

Oddly, the version from *Airforce Delta Strike* is not realistic; this version appears to be based off the FB-22 concept plane, having the same delta wings as that craft. As a result, the design is less realistic compared to its *Storm* counterpart.

## Performance

### *Airforce Delta Storm*

A very good craft. It's unlocked fairly late in the game, but it still manages to be quite useful, having incredibly high stats all around. In the PAL version of the game, the Mobility stat of this plane is even higher, all the way to the max. Overall, it is a very above average aircraft that can be a good alternative to the likes of the MiG-1.44 MFI and the Phosphorus.

### *Airforce Delta Strike*

Sadly, despite how cool this plane looks, it's very lacking compared to the F-15U Plus. Firstly, internal bomb-bays hurts its DPS. Secondly, it lacks vulcans compared to the F-15U. And even still, its special weapon is arguably worse. Guided bombs are nice thanks to the triple cash bonus, but this plane only has 20 of them, and their splash radius is poor. It's also less maneuverable and less speedy than the F-15U.

## Statistics

### *Airforce Delta Storm*

 **Range:** | 3

* *(!) - Mobility stat is Maximum in the PAL version.*

### *Airforce Delta Strike*

(Clockwise starting from top)

 **Speed:** | Medium

## Notable Appearances

### *Airforce Delta Storm*

* Enemy Mercuries appear in Fortress in the Sky, Black Target, and Final Mission. They are targets in all of those appearances.

### *Airforce Delta Strike*

* Bravo Squadron uses this aircraft in Turning Point. They are, surprisingly, not shot down in this level.

## Gallery

### *Airforce Delta Storm*

Picture featuring US version's stats.Stats in the PAL version, note the higher mobility.XF-0001 Mercury in flight.Enemy XF-0001 Mercury.Enemy XF-0001 with different paint scheme from Final Mission (NTSC-J & PAL version).Ditto, from Fortress in the Sky (NTSC-J & PAL version).Ditto, from Black Target (NTSC-J & PAL version).Two enemy Mercuries.Player XF-0001Player XF-0001Player XF-0001Player XF-0001Player XF-0001
### *Airforce Delta Strike*

X-44 in Holst's color scheme.X-44 in a generic color scheme.Holst's X-44 in flight.X-44 in David's color scheme.Ditto.Aircraft statistics.Bravo Team X-44 during the Turning Point mission.Bravo Team X-44 during the Turning Point mission.Bravo Team X-44 during the Turning Point mission.Bravo Team X-44 during the Turning Point mission.Bravo Team X-44 during the Turning Point mission.X-44 cockpit in *AFD Strike*.The X-44's special weapons, Small Guided Bombs.
## Trivia

* In the NTSC version, the enemy Mercury's paint scheme is the exact same as the player's, right down to having the Delta emblem on the wing.
* In the PAL version, the enemy Mercury has an different paint job encountered in Final Mission, Fortress in the Sky, and Black Target. (See Gallery)
* It's possible to read "Delta 3" on Bravo Team's X-44, even though the aircraft doesn't belong to Delta Squadron.