Editing D96-TCE Albatross

{{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post}}

|manufacturer=[[Ushuaia Armory]]<ref name="essential">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 5''</ref>

|class=Heavy-lift [[dropship]]<ref name="enc259">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 259'' (2011)</ref>

|height=

|mass=

|slipspace drive=None<ref name="condor">[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/d81-lrt-condor '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Condor'']</ref>

|armament=Typically none{{Ref/Reuse|essential}}

|complement=45–50 passengers{{Ref/Reuse|essential}}

|crew=1 [[pilot]], 1–2 crewmen{{Ref/Reuse|essential}}

|era=[[Human-Covenant War]]<ref name="relic">'''[[Halo 2]]''', multiplayer level, ''[[Relic]]''</ref>

The '''D96-TCE Albatross''', formally designated as the '''D96 Troop Carrier, Equipment Dropship''',{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} is a heavy-lift [[dropship]] in service with the [[United Nations Space Command]].{{Ref/Reuse|enc259}} Manufactured by [[Ushuaia Armory]], the Albatross is one of the UNSC's primary modes of long-range matériel deployment, transporting troops, vehicles, and equipment across long distances.{{Ref/Reuse|essential}}

While the Albatross is an indispensable part of the UNSC's fleet of dropships,{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} it remains behind the [[Pelican]] in terms of importance.<ref>'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 112''</ref> The Albatross is similar in operation to the [[D82-EST Darter]], which specializes in the transportation of base supplies.{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} The functionality of the [[D81-LRT Condor]] overlaps with both the Albatross and Darter, though the Condor is equipped with a [[slipspace drive]].{{Ref/Reuse|condor}}

==Specifications==

[[File:HTFoR AS AlbatrossInterior.jpg|right|thumb|The interior of the Albatross in ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]'']]

A heavy-lift [[dropship]] manufactured by [[Ushuaia Armory]], the D96-TCE Albatross is capable of deploying equipment behind enemy lines from both atmospheric and exoatmospheric locations. Although Albatrosses possess no offensive capabilities{{Ref/Reuse|enc259}} as they are not typically armed, its nimble maneuverability and heavily protected, expansive cargo bay allow it to transport troops, vehicles, and equipment safely.{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} Lacking a [[slipspace drive]],{{Ref/Reuse|condor}} the dropship's propulsion system consists of four engines, two on each side, attached to the Albatross' body.{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} The dropships are also equipped with an autopilot feature that allow them to be operated remotely by a [[dumb AI]].<ref name="for">'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 71'' (2010)</ref>

 

The cockpit, located at the front of the Albatross, allows for a single [[pilot]] and one or two crewmen. The Albatross' large cargo bay can carry between forty-five to fifty passengers, or vehicles and weapons for battlefield deployment.{{Ref/Reuse|essential}} Once the dropship has landed, the Albatross lowers three metal ramps holding the bay, allowing its cargo to be unloaded. Heavily armored, the Albatross is able to serve as a makeshift base or command center.{{Ref/Reuse|enc259}}

The Albatross was also used throughout the [[Human-Covenant War]]. During the [[Battle of Installation 05]] in [[2552]], {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} deployed the surveillance team [[RECON 127]] to [[Installation 05]] to investigate a [[Forerunner]] structure on an island, but the team met heavy [[Covenant]] opposition and their Albatross was shot down over the island.{{Ref/Reuse|relic}}<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/locations/delta-halo '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Delta Halo'']</ref> {{UNSCShip|Aegis Fate}} deployed the Albatross ''[[03]]'' to an abandoned [[Jiralhanae]] base, where the ultimately dropship crash-landed nearby.<ref name="sandtrap">'''[[Halo 3]]''', multiplayer level, ''[[Sandtrap]]''</ref> Following the Covenant War, the [[Venezian Militia]] had acquired an assortment of Albatrosses, among other UNSC aircraft, hidden in a hanger under [[Mount Longdon Road]] in [[New Tyne]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''', ''page 103''</ref> After the [[Rookie]]'s death in the [[Draco III|rebellion]] on [[Draco III]] in [[2554]], an old Albatross was used by [[Alpha-Nine]] to bring his body out to one of Draco III's oceans.<ref>'''[[Halo: New Blood]]''', ''page 97''</ref>

*An [[Wikipedia:Albatross|albatross]] is a seabird, in keeping with the UNSC's tradition of naming most of their atmospheric vehicles after animals.

File:H3 AlbatrossProfile.png|Various views of the Albatross.

File:H3_Sandtrap_Albatross.png|An Albatross cargo bay on the ''[[Halo 3]]'' map [[Sandtrap]].

File:Halo-2-Anniversary-Relic-Screenshot-3.png|An Albatross on the ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' map [[Remnant]].

File:HTFOR-Albatross.png|An Albatross in ''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''.

File:Albatrosslayout.jpg|The sillhouette of an Albatross.

*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''{{Ref/Novel|Id=SOR17|HSoR|Chapter=17}}

{{Human Ships}}