D79-TC Pelican

Were you looking for the D77-TC Pelican, used in Halo: Combat Evolved, Halo 2, Halo Wars, and Halo: Reach?

The D79-TC Pelican, formally known as the Dropship 79 Heavy - Troop Carrier, is a UNSC dropship designed by Misriah Armory.^[1] It had become the UNSC's standard dropship by 2557,^{[note 1]} replacing the D77-TC and D77H-TCI models.^[1]^[2] A gunship variant of the D79 Pelican also exists.^[3]

Specifications

Design details

Unlike the D77 and its H variant, the D79 features a twin-bubble canopy akin to that of the 21st century Mi-24 Hind gunship/attack helicopter; flight controls and frontal weaponry triggers are linked to the lower seat, while the dorsal turret is manned through the upper seat. It has a sleeker, more rounded fuselage which presumably improves its aerodynamics. A tall air intake is located immediately adjacent to the fuselage on either winglet, while a shorter but wider intake is mounted in front of and beneath each forward thruster; two smaller intakes are located above these. Two small maneuvering thrusters are mounted on either side of the fuselage. The Pelican is armed with a pair of GAU/53 70mm MBHRC autocannons mounted on a gimbal, below its nose.^[2]

Gunship variant

Main article: G79H-TC Pelican

In addition to the standard dropship model, a gunship model designated as the Gunship 79 Heavy Troop Carrier/Mobile Armory, is also used. This version incorporates heavier armament than the dropship version and additional weapons and ammunition racks for the resupply of ground troops.^[3]^[4]

Identified Pelicans

Trivia

In Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn, Spartan Blue Team's D79 Pelican sports the post-war version of the UNSC emblem, despite the series taking place in 2526.^{[note 1]}
In the level Infinity, the Pelicans can be shot down by enemy fire, despite their actions being scripted, which can cause them to fall on top of the player and kill them. Additionally, sometimes the pilots will be killed, resulting in the aircraft crashing but not being destroyed. The Pelican's cockpit will be open and the aircraft can be flipped, but it cannot be piloted by the player.

Gallery

Concept art of a Pelican bay on the UNSC Infinity.
A D79 Pelican preparing to drop reinforcements on Requiem
A D79 flying over the canyons of Requiem
A D79 Pelican leaving Circinius IV.
Detailed view of the dropship's engines.
A crashed D79 Pelican at Two Giants
Detail of the Pelican's cockpit interior, flown by Tedra Grant
Two Pelicans flying in formation as they flee Requiem in 2558
A D79-TC Pelican gunning down an Unggoy Storm.
The gunship variant of the D79-TC Pelican, the G79H-TC.

List of appearances

Note

^ ^a ^b Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn depicts a D79H Pelican in use in 2526. While it is possible that the model had entered service by that time, this is more likely an example of artistic license intended to tie the webseries more closely to Halo 4. It is also possible that the CG model was carried over from The Commissioning or from Spartan Ops' pre-rendered cutscenes to save resources; this would explain why the Spartans' Pelican bears the post-war UNSC emblem.

Sources

^ ^a ^b Halo Waypoint Halo 4 Interactive Guide
^ ^a ^b Halo Waypoint: Halo 4 Weapon and Vehicle Renders
^ ^a ^b Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide
^ Halo 4, campaign level Shutdown

Template:UNSCDF Aircraft

[FUD-2] Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn depicts a D79H Pelican in use in 2526. While it is possible that the model had entered service by that time, this is more likely an example of artistic license intended to tie the webseries more closely to Halo 4. It is also possible that the CG model was carried over from The Commissioning or from Spartan Ops' pre-rendered cutscenes to save resources; this would explain why the Spartans' Pelican bears the post-war UNSC emblem.

[H4_Guide-1] Halo Waypoint Halo 4 Interactive Guide

[Waypoint-3] Halo Waypoint: Halo 4 Weapon and Vehicle Renders

[EVG-4] Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide

[5] Halo 4, campaign level Shutdown

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