D77-TC Pelican: Difference between revisions

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki
(improvement.)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Era|H1|H2|RVB|HW|HC|FOR|TF|FS|GOO|HGN|TCP}}{{ratings}}
{{Era|H1|H2|HW|HC|FOR|TF|FS|GOO|HGN|TCP}}{{ratings}}
<center>''Were you also looking for the [[D77H-TCI Pelican-class Dropship]], used in [[Halo 3]]?''</center>
<center>''Were you also looking for the [[D77H-TCI Pelican-class Dropship]], used in [[Halo 3]]?''</center>
{{Ship
{{Ship
Line 55: Line 55:
The '''Dropship 77-Troop Carrier''' (abbreviated '''D77-TC'''), more commonly known as the '''Pelican''', is an extremely versatile craft used by the [[United Nations Space Command]], mainly for the pickup and transportation of personnel, vehicles and equipment, although it can also be used as a powerful support gunship.  
The '''Dropship 77-Troop Carrier''' (abbreviated '''D77-TC'''), more commonly known as the '''Pelican''', is an extremely versatile craft used by the [[United Nations Space Command]], mainly for the pickup and transportation of personnel, vehicles and equipment, although it can also be used as a powerful support gunship.  


==Background==
==Background==  
[[Image:PelicanII-Sil.gif|thumb|left|D77-TC schematics]]
[[Image:1219679502 Pelican dropship front.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The Pelican as it appears in Halo: CE.]]
The D77-TC Pelican is mainly responsible for the rapid infiltration and extraction of troops. They also deliver vehicles and equipment to the battlefield, when required.  The D77-TC has been in service for over 50 years, and is the primary tactical support aircraft of the UNSC. The Pelican serves a multi-role purpose, it is fully capable of atmospheric flight and can land almost anywhere without difficulty, the Pelican is also capable of limited spaceflight, which the UNSC uses as a primary way of delivering troops to the surface from orbit. Standard armament consists of one Class 3 externally powered projectile weapon at the fore of the vehicle, and one Class 1 gas operated projectile weapon mounted at the rear, in the extended crew area. More heavily armed variants exist, with multiple and more powerful weaponry. <ref>[http://halo3.com halo3.com]</ref>.


Prior to November, 2552, the D77-TC Pelican was the primary tactical support aircraft of the [[UNSC]], fulfilling the role of a tactical transport gunship. The Pelican's crew compartments can be sealed and the craft made suitable for limited space travel. The Pelican, however, lacks [[Slipspace]] capabilities.
===Payload Capacity===
The Pelican is capable of carrying passengers and cargo using a combination of internal and external methods. Specifically, the main compartment of the Pelican sometimes  called the "Blood Tray"<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', page 203</ref>, has seats for ten people, with additional space for 5 standing. Other variants have displayed the ability to hold considerably more: The Spartan-II's were assigned a specialized Pelican, able to hold the entire team of twenty five as well as fitting cutting gear to board a Covenant warship, while the UNSC ODST forces on Installation 04 could fit fifteen Marines into each dropship. Three Pelicans used for the Spartan-III Program carried 300 children.  


Pelicans are mainly responsible for the rapid infiltration and extraction of troops. They also deliver vehicles and equipment to the battlefield, when required. This tactical advantage means that a conflict can be greatly and quickly influenced, by the delivery of reinforcements and/or equipment by Pelicans.
The large aft overhang gives an attachment point for additional, cargo and ordnance. Possible payloads include a [[Troop Deployment Pod (Pelican)|Troop Deployment Pod]], a [[Scorpion Tank]], a [[Warthog]], or eight [[Resupply Canister Type-B Capsule]]s. The maximum payload of a Pelican is 70 tons.
 
Standard armament consists of one Class 3 externally powered projectile weapon at the fore of the vehicle, and one Class 1 gas operated projectile weapon mounted at the rear, in the extended crew area. More heavily armed variants exist, such as the Pelican dropship augmented by [[SPARTAN-II]]s in the novel ''[[Halo:The Fall of Reach]]''<ref>[http://halo3.com halo3.com]</ref>.
 
== Payload Capacity ==
The Pelican is capable of carrying passengers and cargo using a combination of internal and external methods. Specifically, the main compartment of the Pelican (called the "Blood Tray"<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', page 203</ref>), has seats for ten people, with additional space for 5 standing. Other variants have displayed the ability to hold considerably more: The Spartan-II's were assigned a specialised Pelican, able to hold the entire team of twenty five as well as fitting cutting gear to board a Covenant warship, while the UNSC ODST forces on Installation 04 could fit fifteen Marines into each dropship. Three Pelicans used for the Spartan-III Program carried between them 497 children.
 
The internal bay amidships is the simplest way of transporting supplies and personnel and the occasional [[Mongoose]] as seen on ''[[The Storm (Level)|The Storm]]'' and beginning of ''[[The Covenant (Level)|The Covenant]]''.
 
The large aft overhang gives an attachment point for additional, (and possibly oversized) cargo and ordnance. Possible payloads include a [[Troop Deployment Pod (Pelican)|Troop Deployment Pod]], a [[Scorpion Tank]],a [[grizzly]], a [[Warthog]], or eight [[Resupply Canister Type-B Capsule]]s. The maximum payload of a Pelican is 70 tons.


[[Image:Pelican-Scorpion.jpg|300px]]
[[Image:Pelican-Scorpion.jpg|300px]]
Line 77: Line 70:
[[Image:Pelican-TroopPod.jpg|300px]]
[[Image:Pelican-TroopPod.jpg|300px]]


== Weapon Systems ==
===Armament===
[[Image:Hornet war.jpg|300px|thumb|right|A squadron of [[Hornet]]s and [[Sparrowhawk]]s  attempt to protect a number of Pelican dropships from a Scarab in Halo Wars]]
Standard armament consists of a chin-mounted 40mm Rotary-cannon which was common prior to 2525, but was later superseded by a 70mm weapon. These chain-guns are usually controlled by the [[pilot]]'s helmet so that it would aim in the direction of the pilots view, similar to the modern TADS/PNVS found on Apache Gunships or the [[HUD]] system in a [[SPARTAN]]'s armor. Some dropships boasted twin chain guns firing depleted uranium slugs.<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', page 40</ref>.
Standard armament consists of a chin-mounted 40mm Rotary-cannon which was common prior to 2525, but was later superseded by a 70mm weapon (though a gun can be found on most Pelicans during the course of ''[[Halo 2]]'', these are neither big enough to be 40 or 70mm). These chain-guns are usually controlled by the [[pilot]]'s helmet so that it would aim in the direction of the pilots view, similar to the modern TADS/PNVS found on Apache Gunships or the [[HUD]] system in a [[SPARTAN]]'s armor. Some dropships boasted twin chain guns firing depleted uranium slugs.<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', page 40</ref>.


[[Missile pod]]s, each holding eight [[ANVIL-II ASM]]s, can be mounted under each wing to engage more maneuverable or better protected targets. Fire control was typically delegated to the co-pilot, who was assisted by helmet-mounted display.
Missile pods, each holding eight [[ANVIL-II ASM]]s, can be mounted under each wing to engage more maneuverable or better protected targets. Fire control is typically delegated to the co-pilot, who was assisted by helmet-mounted display. A [[M247 GPMG]], or a 25mm grenade launcher can also be mounted facing out of the rear cargo hatch and the latter two can be folded flat against the roof of the internal bay when not in use by the crew chief or passenger.


A [[AIE-486H HMG]], a [[M247 GPMG]], or a 25mm grenade launcher can also be mounted facing out of the rear cargo hatch and the latter two can be folded flat against the roof of the internal bay when not in use by the crew chief or passenger.
===Propulsion===
 
The main engines are mounted in pairs in four nacelles, one on each wing and two at the rear. The nacelles can articulate independently, thus altering (i.e, Vectoring) the direction of thrust and improving the dropship's low altitude maneuverability. Six ventral thrusters, two on each wing nacelle and one on each aft nacelle, allow the Pelican to land and take off vertically. These engines are capable of both space and atmospheric operation. The D77, although fully capable of orbital insertion, is too small to be equipped with a [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]], and thus is incapable of slipspace travel.  
==Propulsion==
The main engines are mounted in pairs in four nacelles, one on each wing and two at the rear. The nacelles can articulate independently, thus altering (i.e, Vectoring) the direction of thrust and improving the dropship's low altitude maneuverability. Six ventral thrusters, two on each wing nacelle and one on each aft nacelle, allow the Pelican to land and take off vertically. These engines are capable of both space and atmospheric operation. The Pelican is too small to have a translight engine mounted on it.


The wings mounted on a Pelican seem extremely small, too small to support the weight of dropship and payload alone. It is speculated that it incorporates at least some [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifting_body Lifting Body] principles, its own hull providing most of the lift necessary.
The wings mounted on a Pelican seem extremely small, too small to support the weight of dropship and payload alone. It is speculated that it incorporates at least some [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lifting_body Lifting Body] principles, its own hull providing most of the lift necessary.
Line 94: Line 84:
[[Image:D77H-TCI Pelican Gunship.jpg|thumb|The D77H-TCI, a newer variant of the Pelican]]
[[Image:D77H-TCI Pelican Gunship.jpg|thumb|The D77H-TCI, a newer variant of the Pelican]]


''[[Halo 3]]'' introduces the new variant of the Pelican, the '''D77H-TCI Pelican''' (The ''H'' stands for ''Heavy'', the ''I'' probably stands for ''Infantry''). Externally, it appears nearly identical to the Pelicans used in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''Halo 2'', except for being more angular. The missile pods have been replaced with a different version. Instead of an attachable box-like pod, it's now attached directly to the wings and engines (although some Pelicans still opt out the missile pod). The chain gun has been left out of the design altogether, though in cutscenes in the level [[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]], landing gear is seen popping out of front of the Pelican. Internally, though, the craft has been renovated and it can store equipment in overhead netting. It also mounts an [[AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun]] at the opening of the troop-bay for suppression fire during insertion/extraction missions. The cockpit has been altered, and instead of the side-by-side positioning of the pilot and co-pilot, the pilot now sits at the fore of the dropship, with the co-pilot behind him/her, and at a higher position, in tandem.
''[[Halo 3]]'' introduces the new variant of the Pelican, the '''D77H-TCI Pelican''' (The ''H'' stands for ''Heavy'', the ''I'' probably stands for ''Infantry''). Externally, it appears nearly identical to the Pelicans used in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and [[Halo 2]], except for being more angular. Internally, though, the craft has been renovated and it can store equipment in overhead netting. It also mounts an [[AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun]] at the opening of the troop-bay for suppression fire during insertion/extraction missions. The cockpit has been altered, and instead of the side-by-side positioning of the pilot and co-pilot, the pilot now sits at the fore of the dropship, with the co-pilot behind him/her, and at a higher position, in tandem.
 
== Character Compatibility ==
*[[Master Chief]]
*[[Marines]]
*[[Flood]] [[Carrier Form]]
*[[Elites]]
*[[Flood]] [[Combat Form]]


== Identified Pelicans ==
== Identified Pelicans ==
Line 111: Line 94:
==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*Pelicans in [[Halo Wars]] show a [[Legendary]] symbol under the cockpit with "Death To Covenant" written under it.
*Pelicans in [[Halo Wars]] show a [[Legendary]] symbol under the cockpit with "Death To Covenant" written under it.
*All Pelican dropships in Halo: Combat Evolved bear either the numbers E419 (Echo 419) or V933 (Victor 933). The Pelicans in [[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]] (correctly) and [[The Silent Cartographer (level)|The Silent Cartographer]] are incorrectly labeled as V933. All others are labeled E419. This is strange, especially being the fact that [[Bravo 22]] is labeled as [[Victor 933]].
*All Pelican dropships in Halo: Combat Evolved bear either the numbers E419 (Echo 419) or V933 (Victor 933). The Pelican in [[The Silent Cartographer (level)|The Silent Cartographer]] are incorrectly labeled as V933. All others are labeled E419. It is likely that because of the extreme time constants of the development cycle of Halo: CE Bungie was unable to properly label each pelican correctly.  
*Pelicans in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]'' are never seen carrying more than six [[Human]] Marine troops at a time, despite being capable of carrying up to fifteen. However, it is likely that this is merely because [[UNSC]] troops usually work in small teams during engagements, comprising of five to six men, known as [[Fire Teams]]. Another likely reason is that the [[Master Chief]], in full armor, weighs in at about 1,000 lbs, making him weigh approximately as much as 5 fully armed marines. So 6 marines, plus the mass of 5 means the Pelican is towing the average of 11, as ''[[Halo: The Flood]]'' stated, 15 is more than pushing the limit as it is, which makes very little sense as the Pelican is capable of carrying a 65 ton tank, so the most likely reason would be gameplay balance; if the Fireteams were replaced with Squads consisting of 15 Marines then the game would become too easy.
*Pelicans in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'' and ''[[Halo 2]]'' are never seen carrying more than six [[Human]] Marine troops at a time, despite being capable of carrying up to fifteen. However, it is likely that this is merely because [[UNSC]] troops usually work in small teams during engagements, comprising of five to six men, known as [[Fire Teams]]. Another likely reason is that the [[Master Chief]], in full armor, weighs in at about 1,000 lbs, making him weigh approximately as much as 5 fully armed marines. So 6 marines, plus the mass of 5 means the Pelican is towing the average of 11, as ''[[Halo: The Flood]]'' stated, 15 is more than pushing the limit as it is, which makes very little sense as the Pelican is capable of carrying a 65 ton tank, so the most likely reason would be gameplay balance; if the Fireteams were replaced with Squads consisting of 15 Marines then the game would become too easy.
*Although in ''[[Halo 2]]'', the Pelican carries two [[missile pods]], each loaded with 8 Anvil-II High Explosive missiles, the only time the dropships ever use them in combat is during the end of the level ''[[Metropolis (Level)|Metropolis]]'', when some launch them against a Scarab, and at the beginning of ''[[Delta Halo (Level)|Delta Halo]]'', when Johnson's Pelican launches some if there are any [[Covenant]] left when the Pelicans come in. It is also used in ''[[Quarantine Zone]]'', after you first encounter a Scorpion. When you move to the next section, a Pelican (unknown if [[Human]] or [[Flood]] controlled) will fire missiles as it passes by at either you or the [[Sentinels]]. Its 70mm chain gun, on the other hand, is used twice during ''[[Outskirts (Level)|Outskirts]]'', both times against [[Jackals]]. Also, in the level ''Delta Halo'', when the Pelican drops off a Scorpion, if there are any Covenant troops left alive, the Pelican will attack them with its chain gun. On occasion the Pelican also attacks the [[Banshee]]s when they are on approach to the player's position.
*Although in ''[[Halo 2]]'', the Pelican carries two missile pods, each loaded with 8 Anvil-II Air to Surface Missiles, the only time the dropships ever use them in combat is during the end of the level ''[[Metropolis (Level)|Metropolis]]'', when some launch them against a Scarab, and at the beginning of ''[[Delta Halo (Level)|Delta Halo]]'', when Johnson's Pelican launches some if there are any [[Covenant]] left when the Pelicans come in. It is also used in ''[[Quarantine Zone]]'', after you first encounter a Scorpion. When you move to the next section, a Pelican (unknown if [[Human]] or [[Flood]] controlled) will fire missiles as it passes by at either you or the [[Sentinels]]. Its 70mm chain gun, on the other hand, is used twice during ''[[Outskirts (Level)|Outskirts]]'', both times against [[Jackals]]. Also, in the level ''Delta Halo'', when the Pelican drops off a Scorpion, if there are any Covenant troops left alive, the Pelican will attack them with its chain gun. On occasion the Pelican also attacks the [[Banshee]]s when they are on approach to the player's position.  
*In ''Halo 2'' and ''Halo'' 3, Pelicans are also used for ammo drops, carrying 6 cylindrical weapon canisters instead of a Warthog or Scorpion. These are found throughout ''[[Delta Halo]]'' and ''[[Regret (Level)|Regret]]'' in ''Halo 2'', as well as a couple of scripted drops. These canisters cannot harm the player unless he/she is positioned directly underneath, but they can destroy a vehicle if they hit it.
*The pods dropped off by Pelicans can be moved around by driving into them with a vehicle. These pods are also objects in Forge in ''Halo 3''.
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' and ''Halo 2'', none of the in-game Pelicans have pilots.
*The original Pelican had the ability to insert six additional seats in the middle of the cargo bay to facilitate more marines on longer journeys.
*The original Pelican had the ability to insert six additional seats in the middle of the cargo bay to facilitate more marines on longer journeys.
*In ''Halo: CE'' on the level ''[[Assault on the Control Room]]'', if the player does the trick where one stays inside the Pelican, the player can walk around when it lands on the bottom. To do this Co-op must be used. Both players must stay inside and go down. After some time one of them must jump out. If done correctly the player outside will be able to "flip the Pelican". The player outside will die, but the one inside will survive and land on the bottom where he/she will be able to walk around.
*In ''Halo: CE'' on the level ''[[Assault on the Control Room]]'', if the player does the trick where one stays inside the Pelican, the player can walk around when it lands on the bottom. To do this Co-op must be used. Both players must stay inside and go down. After some time one of them must jump out. If done correctly the player outside will be able to "flip the Pelican". The player outside will die, but the one inside will survive and land on the bottom where he/she will be able to walk around.
[[Image:Dropship.jpg|thumb|The [Wikipedia:UD4L Cheyenne|''UD4L Cheyenne'' dropship from the movie [[Wikipedia:Aliens|Aliens]], which may have served as conceptual inspiration.]]
*The ''UD4L Cheyenne'' dropship from the movie [[Wikipedia:Aliens|Aliens]], may have served as conceptual inspiration of the Pelican for Halo..
*In [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] on the level [[343 Guilty Spark (Level)|343 Guilty Spark]], you can stay on the Pelican by throwing all your [[grenades]] before it takes off again. You will not die but the Pelican will crash on the top of the map on the hills where you can find the [[Unarmed Marine]].
*In [[Halo: Combat Evolved]] on the level [[343 Guilty Spark (Level)|343 Guilty Spark]], you can stay on the Pelican by throwing all your [[grenades]] before it takes off again. You will not die but the Pelican will crash on the top of the map on the hills where you can find the [[Unarmed Marine]].
*On certain levels, you can get on the top of the Pelican, but when it takes off, you will slip off and likely die. In Halo 3, the game will kill you if you are standing on one as it flies out of bounds.
*The Pelican's troop bay has been stated by Bungie employee Robert McLees as large enough to fit a modern M1A1 Abrams main battle tank.<ref> [[The Art of Halo 3]] Page 38.</ref>
*In [[Halo 2]]'s level [[Quarantine Zone (Level)|Quarantine Zone]], there is a crashed Pelican hidden near the entrance of the barricade at the end.
*In the level ''[[Outskirts]]'' in [[Halo 2]], the Pelican faces in two different directions depending if the difficulty is on Easy or Legendary.
*In Halo 2, if you manage to find a Pelican in a position to flip it, it says "Hold x to flip [[Banshee]]" instead of Pelican.
*The Pelican's troop bay has been stated by Bungie employee Robert McLees as large enough to fit a modern M1A1 Abrams main battle tank.{{fact}}
*The Pelican can be easily taken down in cutscenes but in gameplay it is indestructable.
*The Pelican can carry a load of 30+ Spartans-II in [[Halo: Fall of Reach]]. However, they had ripped all the seats and life support system out in order for them to all fit.
*It was possible to remotely control the Pelican from inside the troop bay, as seen in [[Halo: Fall of Reach]]
*In ''Halo: Combat Evolved'', no Pelicans in the game have rear doors or landing gear


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<GALLERY>  
<GALLERY>  
Image:PelicanII-Sil.gif|D77-TC schematics.
Image:1215452971 Pelican.jpeg|A Pelican in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
Image:1215452971 Pelican.jpeg|A Pelican in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
Image:1217908331 Marines.jpg|A group of [[Marine]]s in a Pelican.
Image:1217908331 Marines.jpg|A group of [[Marine]]s in a Pelican.
Line 138: Line 111:
Image:PelicanOnHarvest.JPG|Three Pelicans in the Halo Wars CGI trailer.
Image:PelicanOnHarvest.JPG|Three Pelicans in the Halo Wars CGI trailer.
Image:Phantom and Pelican.png|A Pelican in a woodland camouflage scheme.  
Image:Phantom and Pelican.png|A Pelican in a woodland camouflage scheme.  
Image:Hornet war.jpg|A squadron of [[Hornet]]s and [[Sparrowhawk]]s  attempt to protect a number of Pelican dropships from a Scarab in Halo Wars.
Image:Pelican04.jpg|The Pelican as it appears in Halo 2
</GALLERY>
</GALLERY>


Revision as of 19:23, June 20, 2009

Template:Ratings

Were you also looking for the D77H-TCI Pelican-class Dropship, used in Halo 3?

Template:Ship

The Dropship 77-Troop Carrier (abbreviated D77-TC), more commonly known as the Pelican, is an extremely versatile craft used by the United Nations Space Command, mainly for the pickup and transportation of personnel, vehicles and equipment, although it can also be used as a powerful support gunship.

Background

File:1219679502 Pelican dropship front.jpg
The Pelican as it appears in Halo: CE.

The D77-TC Pelican is mainly responsible for the rapid infiltration and extraction of troops. They also deliver vehicles and equipment to the battlefield, when required. The D77-TC has been in service for over 50 years, and is the primary tactical support aircraft of the UNSC. The Pelican serves a multi-role purpose, it is fully capable of atmospheric flight and can land almost anywhere without difficulty, the Pelican is also capable of limited spaceflight, which the UNSC uses as a primary way of delivering troops to the surface from orbit. Standard armament consists of one Class 3 externally powered projectile weapon at the fore of the vehicle, and one Class 1 gas operated projectile weapon mounted at the rear, in the extended crew area. More heavily armed variants exist, with multiple and more powerful weaponry. [1].

Payload Capacity

The Pelican is capable of carrying passengers and cargo using a combination of internal and external methods. Specifically, the main compartment of the Pelican sometimes called the "Blood Tray"[2], has seats for ten people, with additional space for 5 standing. Other variants have displayed the ability to hold considerably more: The Spartan-II's were assigned a specialized Pelican, able to hold the entire team of twenty five as well as fitting cutting gear to board a Covenant warship, while the UNSC ODST forces on Installation 04 could fit fifteen Marines into each dropship. Three Pelicans used for the Spartan-III Program carried 300 children.

The large aft overhang gives an attachment point for additional, cargo and ordnance. Possible payloads include a Troop Deployment Pod, a Scorpion Tank, a Warthog, or eight Resupply Canister Type-B Capsules. The maximum payload of a Pelican is 70 tons.

File:Pelican-Scorpion.jpg

File:Pelican-Warthog.jpg

File:Pelican-TroopPod.jpg

Armament

Standard armament consists of a chin-mounted 40mm Rotary-cannon which was common prior to 2525, but was later superseded by a 70mm weapon. These chain-guns are usually controlled by the pilot's helmet so that it would aim in the direction of the pilots view, similar to the modern TADS/PNVS found on Apache Gunships or the HUD system in a SPARTAN's armor. Some dropships boasted twin chain guns firing depleted uranium slugs.[3].

Missile pods, each holding eight ANVIL-II ASMs, can be mounted under each wing to engage more maneuverable or better protected targets. Fire control is typically delegated to the co-pilot, who was assisted by helmet-mounted display. A M247 GPMG, or a 25mm grenade launcher can also be mounted facing out of the rear cargo hatch and the latter two can be folded flat against the roof of the internal bay when not in use by the crew chief or passenger.

Propulsion

The main engines are mounted in pairs in four nacelles, one on each wing and two at the rear. The nacelles can articulate independently, thus altering (i.e, Vectoring) the direction of thrust and improving the dropship's low altitude maneuverability. Six ventral thrusters, two on each wing nacelle and one on each aft nacelle, allow the Pelican to land and take off vertically. These engines are capable of both space and atmospheric operation. The D77, although fully capable of orbital insertion, is too small to be equipped with a Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine, and thus is incapable of slipspace travel.

The wings mounted on a Pelican seem extremely small, too small to support the weight of dropship and payload alone. It is speculated that it incorporates at least some Lifting Body principles, its own hull providing most of the lift necessary.

New Variant (D77H-TCI)

Main article: D77H-TCI Pelican Dropship
The D77H-TCI, a newer variant of the Pelican

Halo 3 introduces the new variant of the Pelican, the D77H-TCI Pelican (The H stands for Heavy, the I probably stands for Infantry). Externally, it appears nearly identical to the Pelicans used in Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2, except for being more angular. Internally, though, the craft has been renovated and it can store equipment in overhead netting. It also mounts an AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun at the opening of the troop-bay for suppression fire during insertion/extraction missions. The cockpit has been altered, and instead of the side-by-side positioning of the pilot and co-pilot, the pilot now sits at the fore of the dropship, with the co-pilot behind him/her, and at a higher position, in tandem.

Identified Pelicans

Pelicans receive serial numbers to be identified by during radio transmissions, particularly in combat situations. Each serial number consists of a letter from the Phonetic Alphabet followed by a number. Though a few Pelicans have this number inscribed on their cargo bays, most have no distinguishing mark on their exteriors. It is unclear how the numbers are chosen, but with their spread across the alphabet and numerals, it can be inferred that a massive number of Pelicans are in service, perhaps as many as 26,000.


v • d • e
 
Known Pelicans
Other

Trivia

  • Pelicans in Halo Wars show a Legendary symbol under the cockpit with "Death To Covenant" written under it.
  • All Pelican dropships in Halo: Combat Evolved bear either the numbers E419 (Echo 419) or V933 (Victor 933). The Pelican in The Silent Cartographer are incorrectly labeled as V933. All others are labeled E419. It is likely that because of the extreme time constants of the development cycle of Halo: CE Bungie was unable to properly label each pelican correctly.
  • Pelicans in Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2 are never seen carrying more than six Human Marine troops at a time, despite being capable of carrying up to fifteen. However, it is likely that this is merely because UNSC troops usually work in small teams during engagements, comprising of five to six men, known as Fire Teams. Another likely reason is that the Master Chief, in full armor, weighs in at about 1,000 lbs, making him weigh approximately as much as 5 fully armed marines. So 6 marines, plus the mass of 5 means the Pelican is towing the average of 11, as Halo: The Flood stated, 15 is more than pushing the limit as it is, which makes very little sense as the Pelican is capable of carrying a 65 ton tank, so the most likely reason would be gameplay balance; if the Fireteams were replaced with Squads consisting of 15 Marines then the game would become too easy.
  • Although in Halo 2, the Pelican carries two missile pods, each loaded with 8 Anvil-II Air to Surface Missiles, the only time the dropships ever use them in combat is during the end of the level Metropolis, when some launch them against a Scarab, and at the beginning of Delta Halo, when Johnson's Pelican launches some if there are any Covenant left when the Pelicans come in. It is also used in Quarantine Zone, after you first encounter a Scorpion. When you move to the next section, a Pelican (unknown if Human or Flood controlled) will fire missiles as it passes by at either you or the Sentinels. Its 70mm chain gun, on the other hand, is used twice during Outskirts, both times against Jackals. Also, in the level Delta Halo, when the Pelican drops off a Scorpion, if there are any Covenant troops left alive, the Pelican will attack them with its chain gun. On occasion the Pelican also attacks the Banshees when they are on approach to the player's position.
  • The original Pelican had the ability to insert six additional seats in the middle of the cargo bay to facilitate more marines on longer journeys.
  • In Halo: CE on the level Assault on the Control Room, if the player does the trick where one stays inside the Pelican, the player can walk around when it lands on the bottom. To do this Co-op must be used. Both players must stay inside and go down. After some time one of them must jump out. If done correctly the player outside will be able to "flip the Pelican". The player outside will die, but the one inside will survive and land on the bottom where he/she will be able to walk around.
  • The UD4L Cheyenne dropship from the movie Aliens, may have served as conceptual inspiration of the Pelican for Halo..
  • In Halo: Combat Evolved on the level 343 Guilty Spark, you can stay on the Pelican by throwing all your grenades before it takes off again. You will not die but the Pelican will crash on the top of the map on the hills where you can find the Unarmed Marine.
  • The Pelican's troop bay has been stated by Bungie employee Robert McLees as large enough to fit a modern M1A1 Abrams main battle tank.[4]

Gallery

  • PelicanII-Sil.gif

    D77-TC schematics.

  • 1215452971 Pelican.jpeg

    A Pelican in Halo: Combat Evolved.

  • 1217908331 Marines.jpg

    A group of Marines in a Pelican.

  • 1225327600 Destroyed pelican.jpg

    A crashed Pelican in flames.

  • PelicanOnHarvest.JPG

    Three Pelicans in the Halo Wars CGI trailer.

  • Phantom and Pelican.png

    A Pelican in a woodland camouflage scheme.

  • A squadron of Hornets and Sparrowhawks attempt to protect a number of Pelican dropships from a Scarab in Halo Wars.

    A squadron of Hornets and Sparrowhawks attempt to protect a number of Pelican dropships from a Scarab in Halo Wars.

  • Pelican04.jpg

    The Pelican as it appears in Halo 2

Sources

  1. ^ halo3.com
  2. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 203
  3. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 40
  4. ^ The Art of Halo 3 Page 38.

Related Pages

Template:UNSC Ships

Retrieved from "https://www.halopedia.org/index.php?title=D77-TC_Pelican&oldid=338132"