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{{Status|Canon}}
{{Ship
{{Disambig header|the Pelican featured in ''[[Halo 3]]'' and ''[[Halo: Reach]]''|other Pelican models|Pelican}}
|name=D77H-TCI Pelican
{{Ship class infobox
|image=[[Image:D77H-TCI Pelican Gunship.jpg|310px]]
|name=Dropship 77 Heavy-Troop Carrier/Infantry
|model=D77-TC Pelican (Heavy Infantry variant)
|image=[[File:H3 - D77H-TCI.png|300px]]
|class=Dropship
|hull symbol=
|manufacturer=[[Misriah Armories]]<ref>[[Halo: Arms Race]]</ref>
|architect=
|modifier=
|manufacturer=[[Misriah Armory]]{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=149}}
|sysmods=
|class=
|length=30.5 meters (100.3 feet)
|role=[[Dropship]]
|width=23.4 meters (76.8 feet)
|length={{Convert|31.2|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc11|Enc11|Page=262}}
|height=10.0 meters (35.9 feet) (10.9 meters with landing gear)
|width={{Convert|25.5|m|ft|sp=us}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}}
|mass=19.8 tonnes
|height=
|max accel=0.85 Kps (reaches maximum speed in about 3 seconds)
|mass=
|max speed space=100,000 pounds thrust
|power=
|max speed air=300 Kph
|engine=
|engine=
*6 hybrid ramjet [[fusion drive]]s {{C|2 primary, 4 secondary}}{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}
*10 manoeuvring thrusters{{Ref/Reuse|H3}}
|slipspace drive=
|slipspace drive=
|slipspace speed=
|navigation=
|poweroutput=
|hull=
|power=
|shielding=
|shield gen=
|armament=
|hull=Aluminium/ceremic carbide/titanium A armour.
*1 chin-mounted Class-3 weapon hardpoint{{Ref/Reuse|h3com}} (typically an [[M370 autocannon]])
|sensor=
*2 wing-mounted [[Anvil-II air-to-surface missile|Anvil-II missile pods]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}
|target=
*4 wing-mounted weapons pylons {{C|optional}}
|navigation=*Radar
*1 rear bay Class-1 weapon hardpoint{{Ref/Reuse|h3com}} (typically an [[AIE-486H machine gun]])
*Motion trackers<ref>[[343 Guilty Spark (Level)]]</ref>|avionics=
|complement=
|countermeasures=
|crew=
|armament=*Missile pods
*3{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}}
*AIM-486H Heavy Machine Gun
**1 [[pilot]]
|complement=*1 [[Scorpion Tank]] ''or''
**1 co-pilot
*1 [[Warthog]] ''or''
**1 crew chief
*4 [[Resupply Canister Type-C Capsule]]s''and''
*1 [[smart AI]] {{C|optional}}{{Ref/Level|Id=Halo|H3|Halo (Halo 3 level)|Halo}}
*2 [[Mongoose]] (internally)  
|passengers=15{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}}
|crew=*1 [[Pilot]]
*1 co-[[Pilot]]
*1 crew chief
|skeleton=1 pilot with a "smart" AI  
|passengers=10 seats in internal bay amidship.
|capacity=70 tonnes on hoist. (anything over 35 tonnes slows speed considerably)
|consumables=1 week air, food and water
|othersystems=
|othersystems=
|role=[http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/air_assault Air Assault]/[http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Close_Air_Support Close Air Support]
|era=[[Human-Covenant War]]
|commission=2552/2553
|introduced=
|firstsight=Halo 3
|affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]]
|battles=*Battle of Earth
**Battle of Crows Nest
**Battle of Voi
*Battle of Installation 00
|affiliation=UNSC
}}
}}
The '''Dropship 77 Heavy-Troop Carrier/Infantry''' ('''D77H-TCI''') is a [[dropship]] in the ubiquitous [[Pelican]] line of armed transports built by [[Misriah Armory]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}{{Ref/Site|Id=h3com|URL=http://www.halo3.com/|Site=halo3.com|Page=Weapons & Vehicles|Detail=Pelican|LocalArchive=Halo3.com#Weapons & Vehicles|D=30|M=12|Y=2007}} It was introduced as a variant of the older [[D77 Pelican]],{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}} and has been dominant in [[United Nations Space Command]] armouries for decades.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}


The '''D77H-TCI Pelican''' is a newer model of the venerable [[D77-TC Pelican ]], recently introduced into service within the [[UNSC]] [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] and [[UNSC Navy|Navy]] in late 2552 and early 2553 (the Halo 3 era). It differs from the D77-TC in many respects, but is also improved in several ways. It still operates as a flexible dropship/gunship VTOL.
==Overview==
===Design details===
Like its standard D77 forebear, the D77H is an extremely versatile airframe. It features a power-efficient thruster configuration and dense ablative armour plating that make it suited for quick-transfer deployments deep into enemy territory. Where it differs most from the traditional D77 design is in the cockpit; where the D77 features tandem seating,{{Ref/Book|Id=WF|HWF|Page=44-45|Detail=While the page in question specifically discusses the standard D77, the general details are applicable to all D77 Pelican models.}} the D77H features vertically staggered seats for its crew, with a co-pilot situated behind the pilot.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} The cockpit features a [[Holography|holopedestal]] that allows for the display of a [[smart AI]].{{Ref/Reuse|Halo}} Other differences include the arrangement of the wings. The "shoulders" connecting the fuselage to the wing are much larger and more armoured on the D77H, with the wing itself only having one [[Wikipedia:Flight control surfaces|control surface]] on the back of the wing, rather than the two per-wing present on the regular D77.{{Ref/Game|Id=H3|H3|Pelican in-game model}} The dorsal surface of the craft contains a [[Anti-gravity technology|gravitic-assist]], which helps provide lift and stability during atmospheric flight.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} The craft has four hybrid [[fusion drive]]s, with an engine pod situated in both of the wings, and with two located at the aft of the vehicle. Each drive consists of a vectored-thrust fusion ram-rocket with an air-breathing hyperfan. When operating in space, the ram-rockets require [[hydrogen]] reaction mass. The Pelican carries enough on-board fuel for two ground-orbit trips.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}


==Background==
As-standard, the craft can carry up to 18 personnel; 3 crew (a [[pilot]], a co-pilot, and a crew chief) and 15 passengers. However, this capacity can be upgraded for higher troop concentrations.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}} The rear bay, or "blood tray",{{Ref/Novel|GoO|Chapter=23}} seats these infantry in jumpseats lining the sides, with a space in the middle which can be used for installing benches, cargo pallets, casualty stretchers, or even smaller utility vehicles like a [[Mongoose]] quad bike.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} Alternatively, the seating can be ripped out to make for more space in the bay if required for more specialised deployments.{{Ref/Novel|Id=SoR17|HSoR|Chapter=17}}


The D77H-TCI is a fleet wide upgrade to the UNSC's squadrons of Pelican Drop ships, incorporating many differences from its older counterparts. First seen deployed in November, 2552 <ref>Halo: Ghosts of Onyx</ref><ref>Missing Person Poster</ref>, the newer model assisted in the recovery effort to rescue [[Spartan-117]] from the jungle region in [[Kenya]]<ref>[[Sierra 117 (Level)]]</ref>, and evacuated wounded [[Marines]] from Crows Nest base as it suffered [[Covenant]] assault<ref>[[Crow's Nest (Level)]]</ref>. Others would airlift Marines and equipment to reinforce the [[UNSC]]'s attempts to retake Voi, coordinating with Hornet air forces.<ref>[[The Storm (Level)]]</ref>
A larger vehicle, such as a [[Warthog]] or [[Scorpion]] tank, can be lifted in the magnetic cargo clamp situated behind the troop bay. This clamp can also be used to carry a cargo pod or up to six [[Ordnance pod|resupply capsules]];{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}} however, using it in this manner during orbital reentry is discouraged due to the complications it adds.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}}


Later, D77H-TCI Pelicans would take part in the joint [[Elite]]-Human assault on the Covenant at [[Installation 00]], inserting [[Spartan-117]] and a team of [[ODST]]'s to secure a landing zone for the {{UNSCShip|Forward Unto Dawn}} and pick them up again as they discovered the location of the [[Prophet of Truth]] and his forces<ref>[[The Ark (Level)]]</ref>. A joint force of Pelicans and Elite [[Phantoms]] would deliver Spartan-117, the [[Arbiter (character)|Arbiter]] and Sergeant Major A. J. Johnson to deactivate three shield generators protecting the [[Prophet]]'s location, with several being taken down by [[Type-52 Anti Aircraft Artillery]] Wraiths and by Banshees, fighting their way to allow the Arbiter and Spartan-117 to assault the third generator. A D77H-TCI was used by [[Commander Miranda Keyes]] failed attempt to rescue Sergeant Johnson from Truth and his Brute forces, and was used by the Sergeant to escape from a [[Flood]] assault.<ref>[[The Covenant (Level)]]</ref>
===Armament===
The D77H's standard weapons loadout includes two integrated [[Anvil-II air-to-surface missile]] pods integrated seamlessly into the wing, below the fusion drive assembly.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} Each pod contains six silos.{{Ref/Reuse|H3}} In addition, a Class-1 weapon hardpoint is fitted in the rear bay.{{Ref/Reuse|h3com}} This can be used to fit a heavy machine gun, [[grenade launcher]], or even a [[Gauss cannon]] to provide protection for the bay during infantry embarking or disembarking.{{Ref/Reuse|WF}} The most commonly-seen armament in the D77H bay is a tripod-mounted [[AIE-486H machine gun]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3}}


A D77H-TCI Pelican was crashed into High Charity by Spartan-117 and the Arbiter, which in turn crashed onto [[Installation 00]]. It was used by Spartan-117 and the Arbiter to rescue the UNSC [[AI]] [[Cortana]], and then to crash near [[Installation 04 (II)]]'s Control Room.<ref>[[Cortana (Level)]]</ref>
Despite the standard armaments, the D77H is as versatile in its loadout as its D77 forebear.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} As such, more heavily-armed variants exist.{{Ref/Reuse|h3com}} A chin-mounted Class-3 weapons hardpoint is present on the craft's nose{{Ref/Reuse|h3com}} that can be used to equip an autocannon such as the [[M340 autocannon|M340 40mm]] or [[M370 autocannon|M370 70mm]].


== Payload Capacity ==
===Variants===
 
*'''UNICOM Pelican''' - an altered D77H used by the [[UNSC Army]] and [[UNSC Air Force]] during the [[Fall of Reach]], boasting only ten seats in the passenger bay and other minor alterations to the body.
Though an upgrade, the D77H-TCI variant of the Pelican carries the number of passengers as its predecessor. However, its troop-bay is more flexible, able to carry up to two [[M274 Mongoose ULATV|Mongoose's]] internally, in addition to its passengers.
*'''[[D77C Pelican]]''' - a civilian variant of the D77H-TCI, replacing military armaments with sensors. These are mostly used by government, corporate, and [[law enforcement]] agencies such as the [[New Mombasa Police Department]].
 
*'''G77S Pelican''' - a gunship conversion of the D77H, boasting a much heavier ordnance loadout for ground support.
The D77H-TCI Pelican's cockpit also differs from its predecessor, using a tandem seating rather than a side-by-side configuration used by the D77-TC. It is presumed that the pilot furthest toward the front operates the craft's flight systems, with the co-pilot seated behind him operating the other systems. A small holo-tank has been installed also, allowing an artificial intelligence to project its holographic form to the craft's pilots.<ref>Halo 3</ref>
<gallery class="center">
File:Pelican render.png|A Pelican used by [[Unified Ground Command|UNICOM]] forces during the [[Fall of Reach]]. This variant only contains ten seats for passengers.
File:H3ODST-D77C-NMPD-PelicanDropship.png|The D77C-NMPD Pelican.
File:HW2 - G77S Pelican.jpg|The G77S Pelican gunship.
</gallery>


Its tail mounted magnetic clamps are capable of carrying a [[M12 Warthog LRV]], [[Gauss Warthog|M12G1 Warthog LAAG]] or [[M831 TT Warthog]], an [[M808B Scorpion MBT]], or four [[Resupply Canister Type-C Capsule|Type C Resupply Capsules]] rather than six [[Resupply Canister Type-B Capsule|Type B Resupply Capsules]], to to the battlefield, able to detach its payload without landing. It is unknown if a variant exists with the [[D77-TC Pelican]]'s troop-bay extension.
==Identified Pelicans==
 
*[[Echo 051]]
== Armament ==
*[[Kilo 023]]
 
The D77H-TCI Pelican lacks the nose-mounted chaingun of its predecessor, though it is able to mount an AIE-486H Heavy Machine Gun in its troop-bay compartment for supporting ground teams and covering the ingress/egress of its passengers, an improvement from the previous [[M247 GPMG]]. Its wings can carry a missile-pod for engaging air or ground hostile units, which has proven effective against enemy [[Phantom]] Dropships and Covenant infantry, able to fire more missiles and faster than the older [[ANVIL-II ASM]] Pods. The D77H-TCI can also be equipped with a much larger cannon, mounted at the ventral-fore of the dropship<ref>[[High Ground (Level)]] computers</ref>. other than this, the D77H-TCI carries relatively few weapons.
 
== 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 (ie, Vectoring) the direction of thrust and improving the D77H-TCI Pelican's low altitude maneuverability. Six ventral thrusters, two on each wing nacelle and one on each aft nacelle, allow the drop ship to land and take off vertically. These engines are capable of both space and atmospheric operation. It is unknown what fuel they use, or whether they use jet propulsion or another unspecified type of propulsion. The D77H-TCI Pelican is too small to have a slipspace matrix mounted inside.
 
The wings mounted on a Pelican seem extremely small, too small to support the weight of drop ship 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.
 
== Identified Pelicans ==
*[[Echo 51]]
*[[Kilo 23]]
*[[Victor 398]]
*[[Oscar 5]]
*[[Oscar 5]]
*[[Oscar 6]]
*[[Oscar 6]]
*[[Oscar 8]]
*[[Oscar 8]]
*[[Oscar 9]]
*[[Oscar 9]]
*[[Victor 398]]


== Images ==
==Operational history==
D77H Pelicans saw heavy use during the [[Battle for Earth]] in [[2552#November|November 2552]], alongside the ensuing [[Battle of Installation 00|campaign]] on [[Installation 00]].{{Ref/Reuse|H3}}


==Production notes==
The [[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)|2009 ''Halo Encyclopedia'']] lists the D77H-TCI's length and width stats as {{Convert|100|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}} and {{Convert|77|ft|m|sp=us|disp=flip}}, respectively.{{Ref/Book|Enc09|Page=252}} This was updated in the book's [[Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition)|2011 reissue]] to {{Convert|102.3|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}} and {{Convert|83.7|ft|m|disp=flip|sp=us}}.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11}}
Early concept art for the D77H produced by [[Isaac Hannaford]] during ''Halo 3''{{'}}s [[Development of Halo 3|production]] depicted the craft with much more exaggerated weapons and sensor antennae on its nose.{{Ref/Book|AoH3|Page=38-39}} This concept was reused as a texture on the [[laptop]] display screen inside the base on the multiplayer map [[High Ground]], and was also later revisited during the concept phase for the ''[[Halo Legends]]'' episode ''[[Homecoming]]''.
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:K30 1.jpg|A Pelican, moments before exploding after it is hit by plasma.
File:H3 HighGround Pelican.png|The Pelican on the laptop screen on High Ground.
Image:D77H-TCI Pelican Gunship.jpg|D77H-TCI Pelican Gun ship
File:Homecoming Pelican Concept.png|Concept art for the Pelican in ''Homecoming'', heavily based on Hannaford's original ''Halo 3'' work.
Image:Pelican.png|Inside the cockpit of a Pelican.
Image:D77H-TCI Pelican Dropship.jpg|A pelican flying over the [[Portal]]
Image:Chief, Johnson, and ODST Pilot in Pelican.jpg|A D77H-TCI performing an orbital insertion into Installation 00
Image:Landfall Pelicans.jpg|D77H-TCI Pelicans under construction.
Image:Pelican bay.jpg|The rear seats of a D77H-TCI Pelican.
</gallery>
</gallery>


==Trivia==
===''Halo: Reach'' model===
*The D77H-TCI Pelican is confirmed as a useable unit in [[Halo Wars]].
The Pelican model found in ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' is called out in the [[Halo: Reach manual|game's manual]] and in-game tooltips as a regular D77 Pelican, despite otherwise being almost identical to the D77H design introduced in ''[[Halo 3]]'' (particularly the broader shoulders, the control surfaces on the wings and the vertically-stacked cockpit alignment - the latter of which was specifically noted in the [[Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition)|2022 ''Halo Encyclopedia'']] as a signature element of the D77H{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}}). As such, this page considers the ''Reach'' manual and other sources which label it as a D77-TC to be an error.


== See Also ==
The ''Reach'' model was reused in ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]'' and ''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''{{'}}s campaign gameplay including the updated cockpit alignment - though for ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' [[Blur Studio]] also made their own VFX-quality Pelican in the original D77 style for use in the game's prerendered cutscenes. The ''Reach''/''Anniversary'' Pelican was also later used as the basis for the design featured in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.


*[[D77-TC Pelican]]
==Gallery==
*[[Albatross|Albatross Dropship]]
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes}}
*[[Phantom|Phantom Dropship]]
===''Halo 3'' design===
*[[Spirit|Spirit Dropship]]
<gallery>
File:Halo3-PelicanDropship.png|A detail fore view of the D77H Pelican's cockpit.
File:Landfall Pelicans.jpg|D77H-TCI Pelicans under construction in ''Halo: Landfall''.
File:D77H-TCI Pelican Gunship.jpg|The D77H-TCI in ''Halo 3''.
File:H3 Pelican Anvil-II.jpg|A frontal view of the D77H-TCI, affixed with ANVIL-II pods.
File:HRS D77H TCI Pelican Bottom.jpg|A bottom view of the D77H-TCI.
File:Pelican bay.jpg|The rear seats of a D77H-TCI Pelican.
File:Ark2.JPG|The cockpit of the D77H-TCI.
File:Pelican Cockpit.jpg|Another view of the cockpit.
File:H3 The Pit out of bounds.jpg|D77H-TCI dropship outside [[The Pit]].
File:The Ark Pelican.jpg|A D77H-TCI dropping off two [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper|ODSTs]] on [[Installation 00]].
File:PelicanCrash-large.jpg|A crashed D77H-TCI on Installation 00.
File:PelicanOnCortana.jpg|A D77H-TCI crashed on ''[[High Charity]]''.
File:Pelicans5e_copy.jpg|A comparison of the D77H-TCI and the D77-TC.
</gallery>


== Sources ==
===''Halo: Reach'' design===
<references/>
<gallery>
File:HaloReach-D77TC-PelicanDropship.png|A D77H Pelican in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:HR - Render - D77TAL Pelican view 1.png|A view of the D77H in ''Halo: Reach''.
File:BirthOfASpartan - Hopeful.png|A Pelican approaches the {{UNSCShip|Hopeful}} in the ''[[Birth of a Spartan]]'' short live-action film.
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: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: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]] in ''Combat Evolved Anniversary''.
File:H2A-D77TC-PelicanDropship-FrontView.png|In-game cutout of the ''Halo 2: Anniversary'' D77H in-game.
File:HE12 Space Combat2.jpg|Several D77Hs along with [[Longswords]] during the [[mission to Ven III]].
File:HGC-D77.jpg|A D77H Pelican in ''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''.
File:HW2B_Pelican.png|A D77H Pelican 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 D77H Pelican delivering a [[UNSC Supply Pad]] during the Battle of Installation 00 in ''[[Halo Wars 2]]''.
File:HW2-D77&Minibase.png|A D77H delivering a minibase.
File:HW2-D77&Supplypad.png|A D77H delivering a supply pad to a firebase.
File:HW2-D77.png|A D77 delivering a [[Watchtower]].
File:HW2-D77vsG81.jpg|A D77H in comparison to a [[G81 Condor]].
File:HW2-G77S.png|A G77S firing at a target.
</gallery>


{{UNSC Vehicles}}
==List of appearances==
{{UNSC Ships}}
*''[[Halo: Landfall]]'' {{1st}}
**''[[Halo: Arms Race]]''
**''[[Halo: Combat]]''
**''[[Halo: Last One Standing]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''{{Ref/Note|Though the ''Halo: Reach'' manual identifies the Pelican in the game as the D77-TC model, all Pelicans seen in-game have the same internal design as the D77H-TCI, notably including the tandem seating configuration. This is most easily seen in the level ''[[The Pillar of Autumn (Halo: Reach level)|The Pillar of Autumn]]''.}}
*''[[Halo: Spartan Assault]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo: Rise of Atriox]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
==Notes==
{{Ref/Notes}}


==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}


[[Category:UNSC Vehicles]]
{{Pelican variants}}
{{Human Ships}}

Latest revision as of 06:32, March 10, 2025

This article is about the Pelican featured in Halo 3 and Halo: Reach. For other Pelican models, see Pelican.
Dropship 77 Heavy-Troop Carrier/Infantry
H3 - D77H-TCI.png
Production information

Manufacturer:

Misriah Armory[1]

Role:

Dropship

Technical specifications

Length:

31.2 meters (102 ft)[2]

Width:

25.5 meters (84 ft)[2]

Engine(s):

Armament:

Crew:

Chronological and affiliation

Era:

Human-Covenant War

Affiliation:

United Nations Space Command

 

The Dropship 77 Heavy-Troop Carrier/Infantry (D77H-TCI) is a dropship in the ubiquitous Pelican line of armed transports built by Misriah Armory.[1][5] It was introduced as a variant of the older D77 Pelican,[2] and has been dominant in United Nations Space Command armouries for decades.[1]

OverviewEdit

Design detailsEdit

Like its standard D77 forebear, the D77H is an extremely versatile airframe. It features a power-efficient thruster configuration and dense ablative armour plating that make it suited for quick-transfer deployments deep into enemy territory. Where it differs most from the traditional D77 design is in the cockpit; where the D77 features tandem seating,[3] the D77H features vertically staggered seats for its crew, with a co-pilot situated behind the pilot.[1] The cockpit features a holopedestal that allows for the display of a smart AI.[6] Other differences include the arrangement of the wings. The "shoulders" connecting the fuselage to the wing are much larger and more armoured on the D77H, with the wing itself only having one control surface on the back of the wing, rather than the two per-wing present on the regular D77.[4] The dorsal surface of the craft contains a gravitic-assist, which helps provide lift and stability during atmospheric flight.[3] The craft has four hybrid fusion drives, with an engine pod situated in both of the wings, and with two located at the aft of the vehicle. Each drive consists of a vectored-thrust fusion ram-rocket with an air-breathing hyperfan. When operating in space, the ram-rockets require hydrogen reaction mass. The Pelican carries enough on-board fuel for two ground-orbit trips.[3]

As-standard, the craft can carry up to 18 personnel; 3 crew (a pilot, a co-pilot, and a crew chief) and 15 passengers. However, this capacity can be upgraded for higher troop concentrations.[2] The rear bay, or "blood tray",[7] seats these infantry in jumpseats lining the sides, with a space in the middle which can be used for installing benches, cargo pallets, casualty stretchers, or even smaller utility vehicles like a Mongoose quad bike.[3] Alternatively, the seating can be ripped out to make for more space in the bay if required for more specialised deployments.[8]

A larger vehicle, such as a Warthog or Scorpion tank, can be lifted in the magnetic cargo clamp situated behind the troop bay. This clamp can also be used to carry a cargo pod or up to six resupply capsules;[2] however, using it in this manner during orbital reentry is discouraged due to the complications it adds.[3]

ArmamentEdit

The D77H's standard weapons loadout includes two integrated Anvil-II air-to-surface missile pods integrated seamlessly into the wing, below the fusion drive assembly.[1] Each pod contains six silos.[4] In addition, a Class-1 weapon hardpoint is fitted in the rear bay.[5] This can be used to fit a heavy machine gun, grenade launcher, or even a Gauss cannon to provide protection for the bay during infantry embarking or disembarking.[3] The most commonly-seen armament in the D77H bay is a tripod-mounted AIE-486H machine gun.[4]

Despite the standard armaments, the D77H is as versatile in its loadout as its D77 forebear.[1] As such, more heavily-armed variants exist.[5] A chin-mounted Class-3 weapons hardpoint is present on the craft's nose[5] that can be used to equip an autocannon such as the M340 40mm or M370 70mm.

VariantsEdit

  • UNICOM Pelican - an altered D77H used by the UNSC Army and UNSC Air Force during the Fall of Reach, boasting only ten seats in the passenger bay and other minor alterations to the body.
  • D77C Pelican - a civilian variant of the D77H-TCI, replacing military armaments with sensors. These are mostly used by government, corporate, and law enforcement agencies such as the New Mombasa Police Department.
  • G77S Pelican - a gunship conversion of the D77H, boasting a much heavier ordnance loadout for ground support.

  • A Pelican used by UNICOM forces during the Fall of Reach. This variant only contains ten seats for passengers.

  • The D77C-NMPD Pelican.

  • The G77S Pelican gunship.

Identified PelicansEdit

Operational historyEdit

D77H Pelicans saw heavy use during the Battle for Earth in November 2552, alongside the ensuing campaign on Installation 00.[4]

Production notesEdit

The 2009 Halo Encyclopedia lists the D77H-TCI's length and width stats as 30 meters (100 ft) and 23 meters (77 ft), respectively.[9] This was updated in the book's 2011 reissue to 31.2 meters (102.3 ft) and 25.5 meters (83.7 ft).[2]

Early concept art for the D77H produced by Isaac Hannaford during Halo 3's production depicted the craft with much more exaggerated weapons and sensor antennae on its nose.[10] This concept was reused as a texture on the laptop display screen inside the base on the multiplayer map High Ground, and was also later revisited during the concept phase for the Halo Legends episode Homecoming.

  • The Pelican on the laptop screen on High Ground.

  • Concept art for the Pelican in Homecoming, heavily based on Hannaford's original Halo 3 work.

Halo: Reach modelEdit

The Pelican model found in Halo: Reach is called out in the game's manual and in-game tooltips as a regular D77 Pelican, despite otherwise being almost identical to the D77H design introduced in Halo 3 (particularly the broader shoulders, the control surfaces on the wings and the vertically-stacked cockpit alignment - the latter of which was specifically noted in the 2022 Halo Encyclopedia as a signature element of the D77H[1]). As such, this page considers the Reach manual and other sources which label it as a D77-TC to be an error.

The Reach model was reused in Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary and Halo 2: Anniversary's campaign gameplay including the updated cockpit alignment - though for Halo 2: Anniversary Blur Studio also made their own VFX-quality Pelican in the original D77 style for use in the game's prerendered cutscenes. The Reach/Anniversary Pelican was also later used as the basis for the design featured in Halo Wars 2.

GalleryEdit

  Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

Halo 3 designEdit

  • A detail fore view of the D77H Pelican's cockpit.

  • D77H-TCI Pelicans under construction in Halo: Landfall.

  • The D77H-TCI in Halo 3.

  • A frontal view of the D77H-TCI, affixed with ANVIL-II pods.

  • A bottom view of the D77H-TCI.

  • The rear seats of a D77H-TCI Pelican.

  • The cockpit of the D77H-TCI.

  • Another view of the cockpit.

  • D77H-TCI dropship outside The Pit.

  • A D77H-TCI dropping off two ODSTs on Installation 00.

  • A crashed D77H-TCI on Installation 00.

  • A D77H-TCI crashed on High Charity.

  • A comparison of the D77H-TCI and the D77-TC.

Halo: Reach designEdit

List of appearancesEdit

NotesEdit

  1. ^ Though the Halo: Reach manual identifies the Pelican in the game as the D77-TC model, all Pelicans seen in-game have the same internal design as the D77H-TCI, notably including the tandem seating configuration. This is most easily seen in the level The Pillar of Autumn.

SourcesEdit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 149
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 262
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Halo: Warfleet, page 44-45: While the page in question specifically discusses the standard D77, the general details are applicable to all D77 Pelican models.
  4. ^ a b c d e Halo 3, Pelican in-game model
  5. ^ a b c d e f halo3.com, Weapons & Vehicles: Pelican (Retrieved on Dec 30, 2007) [local archive] [external archive]
  6. ^ a b Halo 3, campaign level Halo
  7. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, chapter 23
  8. ^ Halo: Shadows of Reach, chapter 17
  9. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 252
  10. ^ The Art of Halo 3, page 38-39

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 ship classifications
Stealth craft
Heavy frigates Paris-class • Strident-class
Light frigates Anlace-class • Charon-class • Mulsanne-class • Stalwart-class
Heavy destroyers Able-class • Hillsborough-class
Light destroyers Diligence-class • Halberd-class • Unidentified
Heavy cruisers Autumn-class • Marathon-class • Valiant-class
Light cruisers Halcyon-class
Unclassified
By human faction: UEG (UNSC • CAA) • Insurrectionist

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