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D77-TC Pelican: Difference between revisions

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(Warfleet doesn't use the term Bussard ramjet, which it expressly specifies the engines are not (since they require separate reaction mass in a vacuum); they're just ramjets in the traditional sense, albeit powered by fusion.)
 
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{{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{References}}
{{New content|[[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)]]}}
{{Center|For the Pelican from Halo 3, see [[D77H-TCI Pelican]]. For the Pelican introduced in Halo 4, see [[D79-TC Pelican]].}}
{{Cleanup}}
{{Ship Class Infobox
{{Disambig header|the Pelican model in service primarily during the Human-Covenant War|other Pelican models|Pelican}}
|image=[[File:H2AD77.jpg|350px]]
{{Ship class infobox
|name=Dropship 77-Troop Carrier
|image=[[File:HINF Pelican Crop.png|300px]]
|manufacturer= [[Misriah Armory]]<ref>'''[[Halo: Arms Race]]'''</ref>
|name=Dropship 77 - Troop Carrier
|line=Pelican
|manufacturer=[[Misriah Armory]]{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM206}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P148|Enc22|Page=148}}
|class=Pelican Dropship 77-Troop Carrier
|class=[[Pelican]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P148}}
*Variants:
|length={{Convert|110.9|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P148}}
**D77H-TCI
|width={{Convert|82.9|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P148}}
**D77C-NMPD
|height={{Convert|36.5|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P148}}
|length= 30.5 meters (100 ft) <br/> Troop Bay: 6.19 meters (20.3 ft)<ref>[[:File:Pelican-Abrams_Comparison.jpg|Image comparison]]</ref>
|mass={{Convert|138|MT}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Warfleet|HWF|Page=44-45}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P148}}
|width= Wingspan: 23.3 meters (76 ft) <br/> Troop Bay: 4.65 meters (15.3 ft)
|height=10 meters (33 ft)<br/>10.5 meters (34 ft) with landing gear<br/> Troop Bay: 3.23 meters (10.6 ft)
|max accel=
|max accel=
|max speed space=
|max speed space=
|max speed air=
|max speed air=
|engine=Two main engines housed in middle section of ship, ten maneuvering thrusters housed in four vector pylons.
|engine=*4 [[Fusion drive|hybrid fusion drives]] {{C|2 primary, 2 secondary}}{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*[[Gravitics|Gravitic]] assist generator{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|slipspace drive=
|slipspace drive=
|slipspace speed=
|slipspace speed=
|poweroutput=
|poweroutput=
|power=  
|power=  
|shield gen=Heat and radiation shielding to protect occupants.
|hull=
|hull=
|sensors=
|target=
|target=
|navigation=Motion trackers<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', campaign level ''[[343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark]]''</ref>
|navigation=*Motion trackers{{Ref/Level|HCE|343 Guilty Spark (level)|343 Guilty Spark}}
*[[Radar|RADAR]]/LIDAR detectors{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|avionics=
|avionics=
|countermeasures=
|armament=*1–2 linked nose-mounted projectile weapons:  
|armament=Single or twin-linked nose-mounted projectile weapons: [[M370 autocannon]] (standard),<ref name="EVG">'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 135''</ref><ref name="The Flood">'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 39''</ref> [[40mm chain gun]],<ref name="TFoR">'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 92'' (''"John sized up her armaments - dented and charred armor, a pair of old, out-of-date 40mm chain guns."'')</ref> large-caliber rotary machine gun<ref name="Halo 2">''Halo 2''</ref>
**1 [[M370 autocannon]] {{C|standard}}{{Ref/Book|Id=EVG|EVG|Page=135}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P148}}
*Two [[ANVIL-II Air-to-Surface Missile]] pods (eight missiles each) (optional)
**1 [[70mm heavy rotary cannon]] {{c|Marine Corps variant}}{{Ref/Reuse|flood3}}
*One internally mounted [[AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun]] or [[M247 General Purpose Machine Gun]] (optional)
**2 [[M340 autocannon]]s {{C|Pre-[[2525]] configuration}}{{Ref/Novel|Id=TFoR|Halo: The Fall of Reach|Page=92|Quote=John sized up her armaments - dented and charred armor, a pair of old, out-of-date 40mm chain guns.}}
|complement=10-14 passengers; in addition to:
*2 [[Anvil-II air-to-surface missile]] pods {{c|8 missiles each}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P148}}
*One [[M808B Main Battle Tank]] or
*4 wing-mounted weapon hardpoints{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM206|OSFM|Page=206}}
*One [[M12 Force Application Vehicle]] or
*1 aft-facing turret {{c|optional}}:
*Four to six [[resupply canister]]s or
**[[M247 general purpose machine gun]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P148}}
*One [[troop deployment pod]] or
**[[M460 automatic grenade launcher]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*One [[deployable bridge]]<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Tip of the Spear]]''</ref>
**[[M68 Gauss cannon]]{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
*70 tons of cargo on hoist, (Anything over 35 tons slows speed considerably.)
|complement=*10–14 passengers{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P148}}
|crew=*One [[pilot]]
*1 vehicle{{Ref/Generic|Id=LC|[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|Subheading=[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops#Series 3 2|Data Drop #13]]|Detail=[[:File:LC 13 doc1.jpg|D77 Pelican Tactical Aerospace Lifter]]}}
*One co-pilot
|crew=
*One crew chief
*3 crews{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P148}}
|skeleton=One pilot with an AI
**1 [[pilot]]{{Ref/Reuse|LC}}
|passengers=Ten seats in internal troop bay amidships, Plus five people standing (these numbers are doubled in case the ship carries a [[troop deployment pod]]).
**1 mission commander{{Ref/Reuse|LC}}
|capacity=
|capacity=
|consumables=
|consumables=Enough fuel for two ground-to-orbit trips{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
|othersystems=
|othersystems=
|role=Dropship, gunship
|role=[[Dropship]],{{Ref/Reuse|LC}} gunship
|era= 26th century
|era=*[[Insurrection]]
|introduced=[[2392]]<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/pelican '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Pelican'']</ref>
*[[Human-Covenant War]]
|affiliation=United Nations Space Command
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
**[[Created conflict]]{{Ref/Quest|Id=wg|HI|Ringfall|Warship Gbraakon}}
|introduced=[[2392]]{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM206}}{{Ref/Site|Id=Halo Waypoint: Pelican|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/pelican|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Pelican|D=30|M=10|Y=2021}}
|affiliation=*[[United Nations Space Command]]
**[[UNSC Marine Corps]]
**[[UNSC Air Force]]
**[[UNSC Army]]
}}
}}


The '''D77-TC Pelican''', formally known as the '''Dropship 77-Troop Carrier''' and commonly known as the '''Pelican''', is an extremely versatile space-to-ground capable craft used by the [[United Nations Space Command]], mainly for the pickup and transportation of personnel, vehicles and equipment, as well as a powerful gunship.
The '''D77-TC Pelican'''{{Ref/Reuse|Halo Waypoint: Pelican}}{{Ref/Reuse|LC}} (Formal classification:  '''Dropship 77 - Troop Carrier'''),{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22P148}} commonly known as the '''Pelican''', is an extremely versatile space-to-ground capable craft used by the [[United Nations Space Command]], as well as being marketed toward [[law enforcement]], security, corporate and civilian markets.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM206}} In its role as a [[Dropship|tactical aerospace lifter]], the Pelican is mainly for the pickup and transportation of personnel, vehicles and equipment, though some variants are capable of serving in the role of a gunship. The UNSC also uses Pelicans as civilian vehicles for quick evacuations.{{Ref/Level|HR|Exodus}}{{Ref/Comic|Halo: Uprising}}


The D77-TC Pelican is mainly responsible for the rapid insertion and extraction of troops, vehicles, and equipment to the battlefield. The D77-TC has been in service for over fifty 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. The UNSC also uses Pelicans as civilian vehicles for quick evacuations.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Exodus]]''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Uprising'''</ref>
The D77-TC has been in service for over fifty 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.  


The Pelican's standard armament consists of one Class III externally powered projectile weapon at the fore of the vehicle, and one Class I gas-operated projectile weapon mounted at the rear, in the extended crew area. More heavily armed variants exist, and the Pelican can be converted to a gunship role with the addition of numerous and more powerful weaponry.<ref>'''Halo 4''', campaign level ''[[Shutdown]]''</ref>
The Pelican's standard armament consists of one Class III externally powered projectile weapon at the fore of the vehicle, and one Class I gas-operated projectile weapon mounted at the rear, in the extended crew area.{{Citation needed}} More heavily armed variants exist, and the Pelican can be converted to a gunship role with the addition of numerous and more powerful weaponry.{{Ref/Game|HW2|G77S Pelican gunship in-game model}}


==Design==
==Design==
===Payload capacity===
The Pelican is capable of carrying up to seventy tons of passengers and cargo using a combination of internal and external methods. The main compartment of the Pelican is sometimes called the "blood tray".<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 203''</ref> Optimally, the "blood tray" has enough compartment space for ten seated people, but can hold five additional standing people, though the Pelican can carry many more passengers if necessary.<ref name="secrets">'''[[Halo: Combat Evolved: Sybex Official Strategies & Secrets]]''', ''page 66''</ref> However, this increased payload capacity is sometimes due to internal modification. For example, the SPARTAN-IIs were assigned a specialized Pelican that was able to hold an entire team of twenty-five, as well as fitting cutting gear to board a Covenant warship. Three Pelicans used for the SPARTAN-III Program carried 300 children, though this may have been the effort of numerous trips back and forth from the surface.{{citation needed}}
The large aft overhang gives an attachment point for additional cargo and ordnance. Possible payloads include a [[troop deployment pod]], an [[M808B Main Battle Tank]], an [[M12 Force Application Vehicle]], or eight [[resupply canister]]s.
===Armament===
===Armament===
The Pelican's primary armament consists of one or more nose-mounted projectile weapons, typically autocannons or machine guns. Commonly known as "chin guns" due to their placement,<ref name="EVG"/> these weapons are controlled via an Integrated Helmet and Display Sight System (IHADSS), which links to the pilot's or co-pilot's [[heads-up display]] and allows them to target the gun by head movements.<ref name="secrets"/><ref>'''Halo: the Flood''', ''page 77''</ref> The Pelican's standard armament is a chin-mounted [[M370 autocannon]], which is sometimes linked with another such weapon;<ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 40''</ref> the M370, which fires 70mm depleted uranium slugs a high velocities, apparently superseded the [[40mm chain gun]] that was common prior to 2525.<ref name="TFoR"/> Some Marine Corps Pelicans are armed with a single a rotary machine gun instead of a chain gun.<ref name="Halo 2"/>
The Pelican's primary armament consists of one or more nose-mounted projectile weapons, typically autocannons or machine guns. Commonly known as "chin guns" due to their placement,{{Ref/Reuse|EVG}} these weapons are controlled via an [[Integrated Helmet and Display Sight System]] (IHADSS), which links to the pilot's or co-pilot's [[heads-up display]] and allows them to target the gun by head movements.{{Ref/Novel|Id=flood3|TF|Chapter=3}}{{Ref/Reuse|secrets}} The Pelican's standard armament is a chin-mounted [[M370 autocannon]], which is sometimes linked with another such weapon;{{Ref/Novel|Id=GOO1|GOO|Chapter 1}} the M370 fires 70mm high-explosive armor-piercing (HEAP) rounds as standard ammunition,{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} with depleted-Uranium slugs also being an option.{{Ref/Reuse|GOO1}} This replaced the older [[M340 autocannon]] that was common prior to [[2525]].{{Ref/Reuse|TFoR}} Some Marine Corps Pelicans are armed with a single 70mm rotary machine gun instead of a chain gun.{{Ref/Reuse|flood3}}


In addition to its primary armament, the Pelican can carry externally mounted missile pods, each holding eight [[ANVIL-II Air-to-Surface Missile]]s. A machine gun such as an [[M247 General Purpose Machine Gun]] with an optional 25mm grenade launcher,<ref name="Halo 2"/> or an [[AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun]], can be mounted facing out the troop bay to provide cover fire for embarking and disembarking troops. These weapons can be folded against the roof of the bay when not in use.
In addition to its primary armament, the Pelican has four externally-mounted missile hardpoints,{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM206}} which typically hold twin pods of eight [[Anvil-II air-to-surface missile]]s. However, they can carry a variety of weapon systems or specialized equipment pods. A turret can be placed at the back of the cargo-bay to provide covering fire for embarking personnel, and can range from [[M247 general purpose machine gun|machine guns]], to [[M460 automatic grenade launcher|grenade launchers]], and even a [[M68 Gauss cannon|gauss cannon]].{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} While some weapons can be folded against the roof when not in use, others such as the [[AIE-486H machine gun]] can not.{{Ref/Level|Id=theark|H3|[[The Ark (level)|The Ark]]}}


===Propulsion===
The D77-TC Pelican, like most other UNSC aerospace vehicles, is fitted with a suite of countermeasures to warn the dropship of incoming attacks, break target locks, and mitigate the effects of electronic warfare. These include wide-spectrum flares, microdrone decoys, rainbow laser blinders, [[Radar|RADAR]]/LIDAR sensors, directional jammers, and "hard chop" guillotines on data processing modules that could be susceptible to cyber-intrusion agents.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} To prevent them from being easily taken out by [[electromagnetic pulse]]s, the Pelican's electronic systems are hardened against such phenomena.
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 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-TC, 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.{{citation needed}}


===Additional features===
===Powerplant/Propulsion===
The Pelican's electronic systems are hardened against [[electromagnetic pulse]]. The craft also features jamming and detection gear, as well as a computerized mapping system. The Pelican is also equipped with an onboard weapons locker, which can hold weapons and ammunition for up to 30 troops.<ref name="secrets"/>
Pelicans utilize a complicated system of hybrid fusion drives that combine vectored-thrust ramjets with air-breathing hyperfans in two primary and two secondary articulated engine pods. In an atmosphere, the engines function as air-breathing jets, drawing on the air for reaction mass, whereas in a vacuum, they operate on an internal supply of [[hydrogen]] reaction mass to provide thrust. With a full tank of fuel, the Pelican is able to carry out two surface-to-orbit trips.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} The two main engines have four nacelles each, two on the bottom and two at the back. The aft engines being similar but lack a nacelle at the bottom. Because both modules are mounted on rotating blocks, they can redirect themselves from directing the thrust downwards to any direction required. A basic [[gravitics|gravitic]] control system is used in-atmosphere to supply further stability and supplementary lift.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} Although fully capable of orbital transit, the D77 is too small to be equipped with a [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]], and is thus incapable of slipspace travel.{{citation needed}}


==Variants==
===Crew and complement===
===D77H-TCI===
[[File:HW2 Blitz Pelican Transport.png|left|thumb|UNSC Marines boarding a D77-TC.]]
{{Main|D77H-TCI Pelican}}
The Pelican is crewed by two personnel who occupy the cockpit at the front of the dropship. The [[pilot]] sits on the right side, with the electronics operator or gunner taking up the station on the left. All flight controls are a digital fly-by-light with no manual backups; an integral expert system optimizes stability and adjusts the thruster profiles under all regimes and cargo profiles. Unlike on the later [[D79-TC Pelican]], the cockpit is only accessible from the cargo-bay. Motion trackers, [[Radar|RADAR]]/LIDAR sensors and a computerized mapping system allow the pilot to plan their way to nearby staging areas as well as to warn of incoming threats.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
The '''D77H-TCI''' appears nearly identical to the regular D77-TC except for being more angular. However, instead of the side-by-side positioning of the pilot and copilot, the pilot sits at the fore of the dropship, with the co-pilot behind him/her, and at a higher position, in tandem. The D77H-TCI is capable of sporting missile pods that are integrated directly into the wings rather than the externally mounted pods used by the D77.


===Law enforcement===
The cargo-bay, colloquially dubbed by Marines as the "blood tray", usually accommodates up to ten personnel in jumpseats, with a small overhead compartment for their weapons and equipment. Additional infantry can be carried standing up, and increased seating for ten more people can be installed in the center aisle. Otherwise, this space can be used to carry cargo pallets, casualty litters, or even small utility vehicles such as two [[M274 Mongoose|M274 Mongoose ULATV]].{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}} The Pelican is also equipped with an onboard weapons locker, which can hold enough weapons and ammunition to arm thirty troopers.<ref name="secrets">''[[Halo: Combat Evolved: Sybex Official Strategies & Secrets]]''</ref> At least one pelican has been modified to act as a boarding craft for [[Operation: RED FLAG]], which has enough room to ferry twenty-five [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]] to their target, as well as carry the cutting gear needed to cut through the hull of a Covenant warship. Pelicans equipped for "[[soft-seal]]" [[Naval boarding|boarding]] actions have an extendable cover that folds down around the entrance to the troop bay. This configuration was refined during the last days of [[Operation: TREBUCHET]].{{Ref/Comic|Id=HWG|Halo Wars: Genesis|Page=20-21}}
{{Main|D77C-NMPD Pelican}}
The ''D77C-NMPD'' is a variant of the D77H-TCI that was utilized by the [[New Mombasa Police Department]] in [[Kenya]], [[Africa]], on [[Earth]].<ref>[http://halo.xbox.com/en-us#/intel/theuniverse/tech/gallery/nmpd-pelican/a08fd318-4bef-4c32-9741-6d15b5f1180d?filter=all '''Halo Waypoint:''' ''D77C-NMPD Pelican'']</ref> It was differentiated from its military counterpart by a black and white color scheme, with the word "POLICE" replacing the traditional "MARINES" on the external hull, and a noted lack of armament. Under the craft's chin, where a machine gun turret or autocannon would normally be installed, were various interchangeable sensors used by the police for aerial surveillance and crowd control. An AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun was typically mounted in the personnel bay of the D77C-NMPD, similarly to the D77 and D77H models.


===G77S===
The large aft overhang provides a magnetic and physical attachment point for additional cargo and ordnance. Possible payloads include a [[troop deployment pod]], a single large vehicle such as an [[M808 Scorpion]] or [[M12 Warthog]], or eight [[resupply canister]]s. It can also transport a [[deployable bridge]],{{Ref/Level|HR|Tip of the Spear}} or a [[firebase]] component building. It is discouraged for pilots to transport objects in the clamp during orbital insertions, as it can complicate reentry.{{Ref/Reuse|Warfleet}}
Building upon the versatile foundation of the venerable D77 airframe, the G77S Pelican is an impressive gunship design cooked up by [[Isabel]] and the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}'s engineers to help turn the tide of battle against [[Banished]] forces on the Ark. The G77S Pelican Gunship boasts a powerful range of armaments, including top-mounted ANVIL missile pods, four payload hardpoints, a forward M370 chaingun turret, and multiple 12.7mm Vulcan cannons.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/the-art-of-war-s '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''Canon Fodder: The Art of War(s)'']</ref>


===UNSC Air Force variant===
==Variants==
The version of the Pelican used by the [[UNSC Air Force]] features a few major differences from other variants of the aircraft. First, the cockpit layout resembles that of the newer D77H-TCI model with the co-pilot's station located behind and above the pilot rather than side-by-side. Also, most Air Force Pelicans have chin-mounted [[M638 autocannon]]s rather than the 40mm or 70mm weapons typically mounted on Marine Corps Pelicans. Another difference seen in Air Force Pelicans is that the cockpit is not separated from the troop bay; instead the troop bay and cockpit form a larger interior space than on the Navy and Marine Corps Pelicans.{{citation needed}}
As the most ubiquitous Pelican model in service, the Pelican has seen extensive deployment and modification, and is widely marketed to police, security, corporate and civilian markets.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM206}}


===D78 Pelican===
*'''[[D77H-TCI Pelican]]''' — A newer and nearly identical model of the regular D77-TC, except for a more angular frame, and it features a tandem pilot-seating configuration.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo Waypoint: Pelican}}
Although the [[D79-TC Pelican]] largely supplanted the D77 in post-war service, surviving hulls would be upgraded with improved avionics and thrusters, redesignated D78-TC and continuing to serve.<ref>'''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 112''</ref><ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/pelican '''Halo Waypoint''': ''Pelican'']</ref>
*'''[[D77C Pelican]]''' – A civilian variant utilized by the law enforcement agencies on major urban areas.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo Waypoint: Pelican}}
**'''[[D77C-NMPD Pelican]]''' – A specialized variant of the D77C and the D77H-TCI itself that was employed by the [[New Mombasa Police Department]] in [[Kenya]], [[Africa]], [[Earth]].{{Ref/Site|URL=http://halo.xbox.com/en-us/intel/related/gallery/nmpd-pelican/a08fd318-4bef-4c32-9741-6d15b5f1180d|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=NMPD Pelican|D=26|M=03|Y=2011|Detail=(defunct, archive [[Archive:Halo Waypoint/2009 to 2014/Universe/Vehicles#NMPD Pelican|here]])}}
*'''Air Force variant''' — The version of the Pelican used by the [[UNSC Air Force]] features a few major differences from other variants of the aircraft. First, the cockpit layout resembles that of the newer D77H-TCI model with the co-pilot's station located behind and above the pilot rather than side-by-side.{{Ref/Game|HR|Detail=3D Pelican model}}
*'''[[G77S Pelican]]''' — Building upon the versatile foundation of the venerable D77 airframe, the G77S Pelican is an impressive gunship design cooked up by [[Isabel]] and the {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}'s engineers to help turn the tide of battle against [[Banished]] forces on the Ark. The G77S Pelican Gunship boasts a powerful range of armaments, including top-mounted ANVIL missile pods, four payload hardpoints, a forward M370 chaingun turret, and multiple [[M41 Vulcan|12.7mm Vulcan]] cannons.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/the-art-of-war-s|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder: The Art of War(s)|D=19|M=03|Y=2017}}
*'''[[D78-TC Pelican]]''' — Although the [[D79-TC Pelican]] largely supplanted the D77 in post-war service, surviving hulls would be upgraded with improved avionics and thrusters, redesignated D78-TC and continuing to serve.{{Ref/Reuse|Halo Waypoint: Pelican}}{{Ref/Book|Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide|Page=112}}
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:H3 - D77H-TCI.png|D77H-TCI Pelican
File:H3 - D77H-TCI.png|D77H-TCI Pelican
File:H3ODST-D77C-NMPD-PelicanDropship.png|D77C-NMPD Pelican
File:H3ODST-D77C-NMPD-PelicanDropship.png|D77C-NMPD Pelican
File:Pelican render.png|Air Force variant of the D77-TC Pelican
File:HW2 - G77S Pelican.jpg|G77S Pelican
File:HW2 - G77S Pelican.jpg|G77S Pelican
</gallery>
</gallery>
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{{col-begin}}
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
*[[Bravo 001]]
*''[[Bravo 001]]''
*[[Bravo 022]]
*''[[Bravo 022]]''
*[[Bravo 029 (Pelican)|Bravo 029]]
*''[[Bravo 029 (Pelican)|Bravo 029]]''
*[[Charlie 217]]
*''[[Charlie 217]]''
*[[Delta 15]]
*''[[Delta 15]]''
*[[Echo 136]]
*''[[Delta 331]]''
*[[Echo 206]]
*''[[Echo 136]]''
*[[Echo 419]]
*''[[Echo 206]]''
*[[Gamma 054]]
*''[[Echo 216]]''
*''[[Echo 419]]''
*''[[Gamma 054]]''
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
*[[Iron Fist]]
*"[[Iron Fist]]"
*[[Victor 933]]
*''[[Pelican 019]]''
*[[Victor 397]]
*''[[Oscar 128]]''
*[[Whiskey 035]]
*''[[Tango 807]]''
*[[Whiskey 036]]
*''[[Victor 321]]''
*[[Whiskey 037]]
*''[[Victor 397]]''
*[[Whiskey 039]]
*''[[Victor 933]]''
*[[Pelican 019]]
*''[[Whiskey 035]]''
*''[[Whiskey 036]]''
*''[[Whiskey 037]]''
*''[[Whiskey 039]]''
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}
==Service history==
===Human-Covenant War===
By the time of the [[Fall of Reach]], D77-TC Pelicans were the most common airlift assets available to [[NOBLE Team]] and other [[Spartan]]s at [[Reach]], albeit [[UH-144 Falcon]]s also being used for shot-top transport and air support.{{Ref/Reuse|LC}} When the [[Covenant]] assaulted the planet, they were used to move critical assets the battlefronts across the human inner colony, and evacuate wounded and VIPs.{{Ref/Reuse|LC}} Following the UNSC disastrous defeat and the [[glassing]] of Reach in [[2552#August|August 30, 2552]], many surviving Pelicans were drawn to the sister colony of [[Tribute]], where they continue to fight against the Covenant forces there until the end of the [[Human-Covenant War]].{{Ref/Reuse|LC}}
===Post-war===
{{Main|Battle over Installation 07|Installation 07 conflict}}
{{Expand-section}}


==''Halo: Fleet Battles''==
==''Halo: Fleet Battles''==
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*Security detail: 2
*Security detail: 2
*Systems loadout: Heroic save (Trooper)
*Systems loadout: Heroic save (Trooper)
 
==Non-canon and dubious canon appearances==
===Silver Timeline===
{{Main|Silver Timeline}}
D77 Pelicans are used by the UNSC to transport troops during their war with the Covenant.{{Ref/YouTube|Id=HTVOT|5KZ3MKraNKY|Paramount+|Halo The Series (2022) Official Trailer|Y=2022|M=1|D=30}}
==Trivia==
==Trivia==
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
*A pelican is a seabird, in keeping with the UNSC's tradition of naming atmospheric vehicles after real animals, with the exceptions of the [[Cyclops]] and [[Gremlin]], which are named after mythical creatures, and the [[Longsword]], [[Shortsword]], [[Sabre]], and [[Broadsword]] which are named after bladed weapons.
*A pelican is a seabird, in keeping with the UNSC's tradition of naming atmospheric vehicles after real animals, with the exceptions of the [[Cyclops]] and [[Gremlin]], which are named after mythical creatures, and the [[GA-TL1 Longsword]], [[B-65 Shortsword]], [[FSS-1000 Sabre]], and [[F-41 Broadsword]] which are named after bladed weapons.
*All Pelican dropships in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' bear either the numbers E419 (''Echo 419'') or V933 (''Victor 933''). This was likely done to save resources during the development of the game.
*All Pelican dropships in ''Halo: Combat Evolved'' bear either the numbers E419 (''Echo 419'') or V933 (''Victor 933''). This was done to save resources during the development of the game.
*The Pelican shows clear inspiration from the ''UD4L Cheyenne'' dropship from the movie ''[[Wikipedia:Aliens|Aliens]]'', which [[list of references to Aliens in Halo|has inspired the ''Halo'' series in many ways]].
*The Pelican shows clear inspiration from the ''UD4L Cheyenne'' dropship from the movie ''[[Wikipedia:Aliens|Aliens]]'', which [[list of references to Aliens in Halo|has inspired the ''Halo'' series in many ways]].
*In ''Halo 2'' gameplay, players can see the insides of the Pelican's cockpit, but no pilots are inside, despite they can be heard in COMs.
*In ''Halo 2'' gameplay, players can see the insides of the Pelican's cockpit, but no pilots are inside, despite they can be heard in COMs.
Line 140: Line 155:
*In ''Halo: Reach'', the inside screens show information on the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]'s [[SWORD Base]].
*In ''Halo: Reach'', the inside screens show information on the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]'s [[SWORD Base]].
*In ''Halo: Reach'', all Pelicans are registered as [[NOBLE Team]] assets, as they are all given the tag "NOBLE 48".
*In ''Halo: Reach'', all Pelicans are registered as [[NOBLE Team]] assets, as they are all given the tag "NOBLE 48".
*Its name is a reference to the number [[7]].


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
===Concept art===
<gallery>
File:HCE TankPelican Concept.jpg|Very early sketches of the Pelican for ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', before the dropship's form was finalised.
File:HCE_EarlyPelican_Concept.jpg|Early concept art for the Pelican for ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:HR_PelicanRedesign_Concept.jpg|Early concept of a redesigned Pelican for ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
File:HR PelicanAirfield Concept.jpg|Concept art of a Pelican airfield on [[Reach]].
File:HINF Concept CrashedPelicans.png|Concept art of wrecked D77-TC Pelicans for ''[[Halo Infinite]]''.
File:HINF PelicanDropConcept.jpg|Concept art of a D77-TC Pelican delivering an M12B Warthog.
File:HINF Concept S1Hangar2.jpg|Concept art of a D77-TC at the [[Avery J. Johnson Academy of Military Science]].
</gallery>
=== Renders ===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:Concept-HCE-Early-Pelican.jpg|Early concept art for the Pelican for ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''.
File:PelicanII-Sil.gif|Schematics of a D77-TC.
File:Pelicandrop.jpg|A simple overview of a Pelican dropship.
File:Pelicandrop.jpg|A simple overview of a Pelican dropship.
File:Pelican-Scorpion.jpg|Side preview of a Pelican carrying a Scorpion.
File:Pelican-Warthog.jpg|Side preview of a Pelican carrying a Warthog.
File:HaloCE-PelicanDropship.png|A Pelican carrying a Warthog in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:HaloCE-PelicanDropship.png|A Pelican carrying a Warthog in ''Halo: Combat Evolved''.
File:DockedPelican.jpg|A Pelican docked in one of ''Pillar of Autumn''<nowiki />'s hangars.
File:H2-Pelican chin gun.png|A view of the Pelican Dropship's chin-mounted autocannon in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2-Pelican chin gun.png|A view of the Pelican Dropship's chin-mounted autocannon in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2-D77TCPelicanDropship.png|A Pelican in ''Halo 2''.
File:H2-D77TCPelicanDropship.png|A Pelican in ''Halo 2''.
File:HaloReach-D77TC-PelicanDropship.png|An Air Force Pelican in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HR - Render - D77TAL Pelican view 1.png|A view of the Air Force D77 in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HCEA-PelicanDropship.png|An angled profile view of a Pelican in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''.
File:H2A D77Pelican HiPoly Render Crop.png|A cutout of a Pelican in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'' cutscenes.
File:H2A D77Pelican HiPoly Render 1.jpg|A render of the D77-TC Pelican in Blur Studio's cutscenes.
File:H2A D77Pelican HiPoly Render 2.jpg|A render of the D77-TC Pelican in Blur Studio's cutscenes.
File:H2A D77Pelican HiPoly Render 3.jpg|A render of the D77-TC Pelican in Blur Studio's cutscenes.
File:H2A D77Pelican HiPoly Render 4.jpg|A render of the D77-TC Pelican in Blur Studio's cutscenes.
File:H2A D77Pelican HiPoly Render 5.jpg|A render of the troop bay in Blur Studio's cutscenes.
File:H2A D77Pelican HiPoly Render 6.jpg|A render of the troop bay in Blur Studio's cutscenes.
File:H2A D77Pelican HiPoly Render 7.jpg|A render of the troop bay in Blur Studio's cutscenes.
File:H2A D77Pelican HiPoly Render 8.jpg|A render of the troop bay in Blur Studio's cutscenes.
File:H2A D77Pelican HiPoly Render 9.jpg|A render of the cockpit.
File:H2A D77Pelican HiPoly Render 10.jpg|Another view of the ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' Pelican. The Pelican shown here uses weapon attachments from an Apache helicopter shown for display purposes only, and are not considered canon.
File:H2A D77Pelican HiPoly Render 11.jpg|A render of the D77-TC Pelican in Blur Studio's cutscenes.
File:H2A-D77TC-PelicanDropship-FrontView.png|In-game cutout of the ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' D77-TC in-game.
</gallery>
===Screenshots===
<gallery>
File:E3 2000 pelican.png|The Pelican as it appeared in the [[Halo E3 2000 trailer|E3 2000 Trailer for Halo: Combat Evolved]].
File:HCE PelicanBansheeChase Screenshot.jpg|An early look at the 2000-era Pelican.
File:DockedPelican.jpg|A Pelican docked in one of ''Pillar of Autumn''{{'}}s hangars.
File:H2 Early Pelican Interior.jpg|John-117 onboard a Pelican in a ''Halo 2'' press kit image, featuring an early design that would be reused in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:H2 - Destroyed Pelican.jpg|A crashed Pelican in flames.
File:H2 - Destroyed Pelican.jpg|A crashed Pelican in flames.
File:Phantom and Pelican.png|A Pelican with a woodland camouflage scheme in ''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''.
File:BirthOfASpartan - Hopeful.png|A Pelican approaches the {{UNSCShip|Hopeful}} in the ''[[Birth of a Spartan]]'' short live-action film.
File:Hornet war.jpg|A squadron of [[AV-14 Hornet|Hornets]] and [[AV-22 Sparrowhawk|Sparrowhawks]] protect a number of Pelican dropships from a [[Type-47 Scarab|Protos Scarab]] in an early build of ''[[Halo Wars]]''.
File:PelicanOnHarvest.JPG|Three Pelicans during the [[Harvest Campaign]] in ''Halo Wars''.
File:HW-D77.png|A D77 in ''Halo Wars''.
File:BirthOfASpartan - Hopeful.png|A Pelican approaches the {{UNSCship|Hopeful}} in the ''[[Birth of a Spartan]]'' short live-action film.
File:EarlyPelicanRedesign.jpg|Early concept of a redesigned Pelican for ''[[Halo: Reach]]''.
File:PelicanAirfieldConcept.jpg|Concept art of a Pelican airfield on [[Reach]].
File:HaloReach-D77TC-PelicanDropship.png|A Pelican in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:Halo Reach - TotS Pelican.jpg|A Pelican during the [[Battle at Szurdok Ridge]].  
File:Halo Reach - TotS Pelican.jpg|A Pelican during the [[Battle at Szurdok Ridge]].  
File:Pelican_carrying_bridge.jpg|A Pelican carrying a [[deployable bridge]].
File:Pelican_carrying_bridge.jpg|A Pelican carrying a [[deployable bridge]].
File:Bravo 001.jpg|The crashed [[Bravo 001]] in the [[Military Wilderness Training Preserve]].
File:Bravo 001.jpg|The crashed [[Bravo 001]] in the [[Military Wilderness Training Preserve]].
File:Troopers in Pelican.jpg|UNSC Army soldiers in the troop bay of a Pelican.
File:Troopers in Pelican.jpg|UNSC Army soldiers in the troop bay of a Pelican.
File:Pelican render.png|A render of the D77 in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HCEA-PelicanDropship.png|An angled profile view of a Pelican in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''.
File:PelicansAnniversary.png|Two Pelicans during the [[Battle of the Silent Cartographer]].
File:PelicansAnniversary.png|Two Pelicans during the [[Battle of the Silent Cartographer]].
File:H4-Scanned-PelicanDropships.jpg|D77s in ''Scanned''.
File:H4-Scanned-PelicanDropships.jpg|D77s in ''Scanned''.
File:H2AD77_cutout.png|A cutout of a Pelican in ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''.
File:H2A - I Know What the Ladies Like.jpg|Sergeant Avery Johnson commandeers a Pelican's [[M247 general purpose machine gun|M247]] bay gun.
File:H2A - I Know What the Ladies Like.jpg|Sergeant Avery Johnson commandeers a Pelican's [[M247 General Purpose Machine Gun|M247]] bay gun.
File:H2A - Pelican and Scorpion.jpg|A Pelican ferrying an M808B Scorpion.
File:H2A - Pelican and Scorpion.jpg|A Pelican ferrying an M808B Scorpion.
File:HGC-D77.jpg|A D77 Pelican in ''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''.
File:HW2B_Pelican.png|A D77 Pelican in the ''[[Halo Wars 2 Open Beta]]''.
File:HW2B_Pelican.png|A D77 Pelican in the ''[[Halo Wars 2 Open Beta]]''.
File:HW2B-D77gunship.png|A G77S Pelican gunship in the ''Halo Wars 2 Open Beta''.
File:HW2B-D77gunship.png|A G77S Pelican gunship in the ''Halo Wars 2 Open Beta''.
File:HW2-CampaignD77.png|A D77 Pelican delivering a [[UNSC Supply Pad]] during the Battle of Installation 00 in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
File:HW2-D77&Minibase.png|A D77 delivering a minibase.
File:HW2-D77&Supplypad.png|A D77 delivering a supply pad to a firebase.
File:HW2-D77.png|A D77 delivering a [[Watchtower]].
File:HW2-D77vsG81.jpg|A D77 in comparison to a [[G81 Condor]].
File:HW2-G77S.png|A G77S firing at a target.
File:HINF Multiplayer Reveal 2021-6.png|A D77-TC on the map [[Fragmentation]] in ''Halo Infinite''.
File:HINF Echo216Landed.png|''Echo 216'', a D77-TC Pelican, landed at [[Outpost Tremonius (location)|Outpost Tremonius]] on [[Installation 07]].
File:HINF - Emblem icon - Pelican Streak.png|The Pelican Streak emblem in ''Halo Infinite''.
</gallery>
===Non-canon images===
<gallery>
File:Fortnite-D77.jpg|A D77 being used as a glider in ''[[Wikipedia:Fortnite|Fortnite]]''.
File:HTV-Unbound-D77410.jpg|A D77-TC Pelican in ''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''.
File:MFS-D77drip.png|Various skins for the D77-TC Pelican in ''Microsoft Flight Simulator''.
File:MFS-D77cockpit.png|A D77's cockpit.
File:MFS-D77room.png|A D77's airlock.
File:MFS-D77troopbay.png|A D77's troop bay.
File:MFS-D77attachmentoptions.png|Decal aboard a D77 displaying potential aft cargo.
</gallery>
=== Merchandise ===
<gallery>
File:HGC-D77.jpg|A D77 Pelican in ''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==List of appearances==
==List of appearances==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-3}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
Line 188: Line 250:
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[Odd One Out]]'' {{C|Non-canon appearance}}
**''[[Homecoming]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''
**''[[Prototype]]''
**''[[Odd One Out]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Pariah]]''
**''[[Pariah]]''
**''[[Dirt]]''
**''[[Dirt]]''
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**''[[Birth of a Spartan]]''
**''[[Birth of a Spartan]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
{{Col-3}}
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp|Boot Camp]]''
**''[[Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp|Boot Camp]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminals]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Scanned]]''
*''[[Scanned]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]'' {{c|Cutscene only}}
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''
*''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''
*''[[Know Your Enemy]]''
*''[[Know Your Enemy]]''
*''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''
*''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Mythos: A Guide to the Story of Halo]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Fractures]]''
*''[[Halo: Fractures]]''
**''[[Oasis]]''
**''[[Oasis]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]''
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]''
*''[[Halo: Retribution]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]''
*''[[Halo: Fireteam Raven]]''
{{Col-3}}
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]''
*''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]''
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite: Memory Agent]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''
**''[[Contact]]''
**''[[Unbound]]''
{{Col-end}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


{{UNSCDF Aircraft}}
{{Pelican variants}}
{{Human aircraft}}

Latest revision as of 10:41, December 21, 2024

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This article may contain information based upon upcoming, unreleased, or recently-released content from Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), and may not be fully complete. Additionally, the information may be subject to change if it is based on pre-release material. Please update it as soon as any relevant and accurate material is available.
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This article is about the Pelican model in service primarily during the Human-Covenant War. For other Pelican models, see Pelican.
Dropship 77 - Troop Carrier
Cropped render of the D77 Pelican in Halo Infinite.
Production information

Manufacturer:

Misriah Armory[1][2]

Class:

Pelican[2]

Role:

Dropship,[3] gunship

Technical specifications

Length:

33.8 meters (110.9 ft)[2]

Width:

25.3 meters (82.9 ft)[2]

Height:

11.1 meters (36.5 ft)[2]

Mass:

138 metric tons (136 LT; 152 ST)[4][2]

Engine(s):

Navigation system(s):

Armament:

Complement:

  • 10–14 passengers[2]
  • 1 vehicle[3]

Crew:

Chronological and affiliation

Era:

Introduced:

2392[1][10]

Affiliation:

 

The D77-TC Pelican[10][3] (Formal classification: Dropship 77 - Troop Carrier),[2] commonly known as the Pelican, is an extremely versatile space-to-ground capable craft used by the United Nations Space Command, as well as being marketed toward law enforcement, security, corporate and civilian markets.[1] In its role as a tactical aerospace lifter, the Pelican is mainly for the pickup and transportation of personnel, vehicles and equipment, though some variants are capable of serving in the role of a gunship. The UNSC also uses Pelicans as civilian vehicles for quick evacuations.[11][12]

The D77-TC has been in service for over fifty 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.

The Pelican's standard armament consists of one Class III externally powered projectile weapon at the fore of the vehicle, and one Class I gas-operated projectile weapon mounted at the rear, in the extended crew area.[citation needed] More heavily armed variants exist, and the Pelican can be converted to a gunship role with the addition of numerous and more powerful weaponry.[13]

Design[edit]

Armament[edit]

The Pelican's primary armament consists of one or more nose-mounted projectile weapons, typically autocannons or machine guns. Commonly known as "chin guns" due to their placement,[6] these weapons are controlled via an Integrated Helmet and Display Sight System (IHADSS), which links to the pilot's or co-pilot's heads-up display and allows them to target the gun by head movements.[7][14] The Pelican's standard armament is a chin-mounted M370 autocannon, which is sometimes linked with another such weapon;[15] the M370 fires 70mm high-explosive armor-piercing (HEAP) rounds as standard ammunition,[4] with depleted-Uranium slugs also being an option.[15] This replaced the older M340 autocannon that was common prior to 2525.[8] Some Marine Corps Pelicans are armed with a single 70mm rotary machine gun instead of a chain gun.[7]

In addition to its primary armament, the Pelican has four externally-mounted missile hardpoints,[1] which typically hold twin pods of eight Anvil-II air-to-surface missiles. However, they can carry a variety of weapon systems or specialized equipment pods. A turret can be placed at the back of the cargo-bay to provide covering fire for embarking personnel, and can range from machine guns, to grenade launchers, and even a gauss cannon.[4] While some weapons can be folded against the roof when not in use, others such as the AIE-486H machine gun can not.[16]

The D77-TC Pelican, like most other UNSC aerospace vehicles, is fitted with a suite of countermeasures to warn the dropship of incoming attacks, break target locks, and mitigate the effects of electronic warfare. These include wide-spectrum flares, microdrone decoys, rainbow laser blinders, RADAR/LIDAR sensors, directional jammers, and "hard chop" guillotines on data processing modules that could be susceptible to cyber-intrusion agents.[4] To prevent them from being easily taken out by electromagnetic pulses, the Pelican's electronic systems are hardened against such phenomena.

Powerplant/Propulsion[edit]

Pelicans utilize a complicated system of hybrid fusion drives that combine vectored-thrust ramjets with air-breathing hyperfans in two primary and two secondary articulated engine pods. In an atmosphere, the engines function as air-breathing jets, drawing on the air for reaction mass, whereas in a vacuum, they operate on an internal supply of hydrogen reaction mass to provide thrust. With a full tank of fuel, the Pelican is able to carry out two surface-to-orbit trips.[4] The two main engines have four nacelles each, two on the bottom and two at the back. The aft engines being similar but lack a nacelle at the bottom. Because both modules are mounted on rotating blocks, they can redirect themselves from directing the thrust downwards to any direction required. A basic gravitic control system is used in-atmosphere to supply further stability and supplementary lift.[4] Although fully capable of orbital transit, the D77 is too small to be equipped with a Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine, and is thus incapable of slipspace travel.[citation needed]

Crew and complement[edit]

UNSC Marines boarding a D77-TC.

The Pelican is crewed by two personnel who occupy the cockpit at the front of the dropship. The pilot sits on the right side, with the electronics operator or gunner taking up the station on the left. All flight controls are a digital fly-by-light with no manual backups; an integral expert system optimizes stability and adjusts the thruster profiles under all regimes and cargo profiles. Unlike on the later D79-TC Pelican, the cockpit is only accessible from the cargo-bay. Motion trackers, RADAR/LIDAR sensors and a computerized mapping system allow the pilot to plan their way to nearby staging areas as well as to warn of incoming threats.[4]

The cargo-bay, colloquially dubbed by Marines as the "blood tray", usually accommodates up to ten personnel in jumpseats, with a small overhead compartment for their weapons and equipment. Additional infantry can be carried standing up, and increased seating for ten more people can be installed in the center aisle. Otherwise, this space can be used to carry cargo pallets, casualty litters, or even small utility vehicles such as two M274 Mongoose ULATV.[4] The Pelican is also equipped with an onboard weapons locker, which can hold enough weapons and ammunition to arm thirty troopers.[14] At least one pelican has been modified to act as a boarding craft for Operation: RED FLAG, which has enough room to ferry twenty-five SPARTAN-IIs to their target, as well as carry the cutting gear needed to cut through the hull of a Covenant warship. Pelicans equipped for "soft-seal" boarding actions have an extendable cover that folds down around the entrance to the troop bay. This configuration was refined during the last days of Operation: TREBUCHET.[17]

The large aft overhang provides a magnetic and physical attachment point for additional cargo and ordnance. Possible payloads include a troop deployment pod, a single large vehicle such as an M808 Scorpion or M12 Warthog, or eight resupply canisters. It can also transport a deployable bridge,[18] or a firebase component building. It is discouraged for pilots to transport objects in the clamp during orbital insertions, as it can complicate reentry.[4]

Variants[edit]

As the most ubiquitous Pelican model in service, the Pelican has seen extensive deployment and modification, and is widely marketed to police, security, corporate and civilian markets.[1]

  • D77H-TCI Pelican — A newer and nearly identical model of the regular D77-TC, except for a more angular frame, and it features a tandem pilot-seating configuration.[10]
  • D77C Pelican – A civilian variant utilized by the law enforcement agencies on major urban areas.[10]
  • Air Force variant — The version of the Pelican used by the UNSC Air Force features a few major differences from other variants of the aircraft. First, the cockpit layout resembles that of the newer D77H-TCI model with the co-pilot's station located behind and above the pilot rather than side-by-side.[20]
  • G77S Pelican — Building upon the versatile foundation of the venerable D77 airframe, the G77S Pelican is an impressive gunship design cooked up by Isabel and the UNSC Spirit of Fire's engineers to help turn the tide of battle against Banished forces on the Ark. The G77S Pelican Gunship boasts a powerful range of armaments, including top-mounted ANVIL missile pods, four payload hardpoints, a forward M370 chaingun turret, and multiple 12.7mm Vulcan cannons.[21]
  • D78-TC Pelican — Although the D79-TC Pelican largely supplanted the D77 in post-war service, surviving hulls would be upgraded with improved avionics and thrusters, redesignated D78-TC and continuing to serve.[10][22]
  • D77H-TCI Pelican

    D77H-TCI Pelican

  • D77C-NMPD Pelican

    D77C-NMPD Pelican

  • Air Force variant of the D77-TC Pelican

    Air Force variant of the D77-TC Pelican

  • G77S Pelican

    G77S Pelican

Identified Pelicans[edit]

Service history[edit]

Human-Covenant War[edit]

By the time of the Fall of Reach, D77-TC Pelicans were the most common airlift assets available to NOBLE Team and other Spartans at Reach, albeit UH-144 Falcons also being used for shot-top transport and air support.[3] When the Covenant assaulted the planet, they were used to move critical assets the battlefronts across the human inner colony, and evacuate wounded and VIPs.[3] Following the UNSC disastrous defeat and the glassing of Reach in August 30, 2552, many surviving Pelicans were drawn to the sister colony of Tribute, where they continue to fight against the Covenant forces there until the end of the Human-Covenant War.[3]

Post-war[edit]

Main articles: Battle over Installation 07, Installation 07 conflict
Help.png This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.

Halo: Fleet Battles[edit]

UNSC Pelican Boarding Craft[edit]

  • Flight slots: 0
  • Movement: 12"
  • Damage track: 4
  • Security detail: 2
  • Systems loadout: Heroic save (Trooper)

Non-canon and dubious canon appearances[edit]

Silver Timeline[edit]

Main article: Silver Timeline

D77 Pelicans are used by the UNSC to transport troops during their war with the Covenant.[23]

Trivia[edit]

Main-Superintendent.png Browse more images in this article's gallery page.
  • A pelican is a seabird, in keeping with the UNSC's tradition of naming atmospheric vehicles after real animals, with the exceptions of the Cyclops and Gremlin, which are named after mythical creatures, and the GA-TL1 Longsword, B-65 Shortsword, FSS-1000 Sabre, and F-41 Broadsword which are named after bladed weapons.
  • All Pelican dropships in Halo: Combat Evolved bear either the numbers E419 (Echo 419) or V933 (Victor 933). This was done to save resources during the development of the game.
  • The Pelican shows clear inspiration from the UD4L Cheyenne dropship from the movie Aliens, which has inspired the Halo series in many ways.
  • In Halo 2 gameplay, players can see the insides of the Pelican's cockpit, but no pilots are inside, despite they can be heard in COMs.
  • There is a glitch in the Halo 2 level Metropolis where the player can ride in a Pelican. It will take the player out of the map, flip, and eject the player. If the player attempts to right the flipped Pelican, the script will read "Hold X to flip Banshee", because Bungie never intended for the Pelican to be operable by the player, and therefore did not make a unique message. The Pelican's in-game physics will make it impossible to correctly and permanently flip the Pelican, as it will always reposition itself in an upside-down position.
  • In Halo: Reach, the player can pilot a Pelican through an Easter egg.
  • In Halo: Reach, the inside screens show information on the Office of Naval Intelligence's SWORD Base.
  • In Halo: Reach, all Pelicans are registered as NOBLE Team assets, as they are all given the tag "NOBLE 48".
  • Its name is a reference to the number 7.

Gallery[edit]

Concept art[edit]

Renders[edit]

  • A simple overview of a Pelican dropship.

    A simple overview of a Pelican dropship.

  • A Pelican carrying a Warthog in Halo: Combat Evolved.

    A Pelican carrying a Warthog in Halo: Combat Evolved.

  • A view of the Pelican Dropship's chin-mounted autocannon in Halo 2.

    A view of the Pelican Dropship's chin-mounted autocannon in Halo 2.

  • A Pelican in Halo 2.

    A Pelican in Halo 2.

  • An Air Force Pelican in Halo: Reach.

    An Air Force Pelican in Halo: Reach.

  • A view of the Air Force D77 in Halo: Reach.

    A view of the Air Force D77 in Halo: Reach.

  • An angled profile view of a Pelican in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

    An angled profile view of a Pelican in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary.

  • A cutout of a Pelican in Halo 2: Anniversary cutscenes.

    A cutout of a Pelican in Halo 2: Anniversary cutscenes.

  • A render of the D77-TC Pelican in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

    A render of the D77-TC Pelican in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

  • A render of the D77-TC Pelican in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

    A render of the D77-TC Pelican in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

  • A render of the D77-TC Pelican in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

    A render of the D77-TC Pelican in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

  • A render of the D77-TC Pelican in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

    A render of the D77-TC Pelican in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

  • A render of the troop bay in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

    A render of the troop bay in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

  • A render of the troop bay in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

    A render of the troop bay in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

  • A render of the troop bay in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

    A render of the troop bay in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

  • A render of the troop bay in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

    A render of the troop bay in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

  • A render of the cockpit.

    A render of the cockpit.

  • Another view of the Halo 2: Anniversary Pelican. The Pelican shown here uses weapon attachments from an Apache helicopter shown for display purposes only, and are not considered canon.

    Another view of the Halo 2: Anniversary Pelican. The Pelican shown here uses weapon attachments from an Apache helicopter shown for display purposes only, and are not considered canon.

  • A render of the D77-TC Pelican in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

    A render of the D77-TC Pelican in Blur Studio's cutscenes.

  • In-game cutout of the Halo 2: Anniversary D77-TC in-game.

    In-game cutout of the Halo 2: Anniversary D77-TC in-game.

Screenshots[edit]

Non-canon images[edit]

  • A D77 being used as a glider in Fortnite.

    A D77 being used as a glider in Fortnite.

  • A D77-TC Pelican in Halo: The Television Series.

    A D77-TC Pelican in Halo: The Television Series.

  • Various skins for the D77-TC Pelican in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

    Various skins for the D77-TC Pelican in Microsoft Flight Simulator.

  • A D77's cockpit.

    A D77's cockpit.

  • A D77's airlock.

    A D77's airlock.

  • A D77's troop bay.

    A D77's troop bay.

  • Decal aboard a D77 displaying potential aft cargo.

    Decal aboard a D77 displaying potential aft cargo.

Merchandise[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual, page 206
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 148
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Halo Legendary Crate - Data Drop #13: D77 Pelican Tactical Aerospace Lifter
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Halo: Warfleet, page 44-45
  5. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level 343 Guilty Spark
  6. ^ a b Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 135
  7. ^ a b c Halo: The Flood, chapter 3
  8. ^ a b Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 92: "John sized up her armaments - dented and charred armor, a pair of old, out-of-date 40mm chain guns."
  9. ^ Halo Infinite, campaign mission Ringfall: Warship Gbraakon
  10. ^ a b c d e Halo Waypoint, Pelican (Retrieved on Oct 30, 2021) [archive]
  11. ^ Halo: Reach, campaign level Exodus
  12. ^ Halo: Uprising
  13. ^ Halo Wars 2, G77S Pelican gunship in-game model
  14. ^ a b Halo: Combat Evolved: Sybex Official Strategies & Secrets
  15. ^ a b Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, Chapter 1
  16. ^ Halo 3, campaign level The Ark
  17. ^ Halo Wars: Genesis, page 20-21
  18. ^ Halo: Reach, campaign level Tip of the Spear
  19. ^ Halo Waypoint, NMPD Pelican: (defunct, archive here) (Retrieved on Mar 26, 2011) [archive]
  20. ^ Halo: Reach: 3D Pelican model
  21. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder: The Art of War(s) (Retrieved on Mar 19, 2017) [archive]
  22. ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 112
  23. ^ YouTube - Paramount+, Halo The Series (2022) Official Trailer (Retrieved on Jan 30, 2022)

v • d • e
 
Pelican TAL variants
D75 Pelican variants
D77 Pelican variants
D78 Pelican variants
D79 Pelican variants
Unique and individual vehicles

v • d • e
 
Human aerospace craft
Ground-support craft
Bombers
Strategic bomber B-65 Shortsword
Bomber/Interceptors GA-TL1 Longsword (C708 • C709 • C712 • C718)
Troop transports Pelican (D75 • D77 • D78 • D79 • Other variants) • D102 Owl • SLEIPNIR
Logistical transports Condor (D80 • D81 • Other variants) • D20 Heron • D82 Darter • D96 Albatross
Stealth and reconnaissance D75/r Pelican • D102 Owl • Subprowler (Black Cat-class • Chiroptera-class • U81 Condor) • Turaco
Shuttlecraft
Lifeboat classes (Class-3 • Class-5) • Command shuttle • RLT-85 Emergency Shuttlepod • SKT-series (SKT-9 • SKT-13 • SKT-21 • SKT-29) • Lacewing-II • Queen Bee • Shuttle pod
Human Entry Vehicle (HEV) M7650 • M8823
SOIEV M8900 • M9407
Other Equipment pod • Long Range Stealth • Escape pod
Other
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