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>

Albatrosses were later employed by the ground force complement of the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}} during [[Operation: WOLFE]], intended to follow a [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|SOIEV]] deployment of [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan-IVs]] onto [[Reach]] with Marine reinforcements.{{Ref/Novel|HSoR|Chapter=13}} Eight such craft were deployed in the invasion supported by a wing of [[F-41 Broadsword|Broadswords]].{{Ref/Novel|HSoR|Chapter=17}} At the end of the campaign, the ''Infinity'' was forced to evacuate before all the craft were able to return to dock, resulting in at least one Albatross being marooned on Reach.{{Ref/Novel|HSoR|Chapter=Epilogue}}

*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}}