Pelican

"Pelican" is the name applied to a series of dropships operated by the UNSC Air Force, the UNSC Marine Corps, the UNSC Navy, and the civilian security forces.

Summary

Beginning service before 2501, most Pelicans are equipped with 70mm chain guns and rockets in their wings. Their payload capacities include an M12 Warthog, M808 Scorpion tank, troop deployment pod or resupply canisters attached to their tail booms.

Pelicans receive serial numbers to be identified by during radio transmissions, particularly in combat situations. Each serial number consists of a letter from the Phonetic Alphabet followed by a number. Though a few Pelicans have this number inscribed on their cargo bays, most have no distinguishing mark on their exteriors. It is unclear how the numbers are chosen, but with their spread across the alphabet and numerals, it can be inferred that a very large number of Pelicans are in service, perhaps as many as 26,000.

Types

D75 Pelican

• D75-TC Pelican - A type of Pelican seen in 2526.
• D75-TC/r Pelican - A reconnaissance version of the D75.
• D75-TC/g Pelican - A version of the D75 equipped with a ground support package.
• D77-TC/s Pelican - A type of D75 Pelican.

D77 Pelican

• D77-TC Pelican - The UNSC's standard dropship variant operated during the Insurrection and the Human-Covenant War.

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  D77-TC Pelican

• D77H-TCI Pelican - A better-armed variant of the D77 Pelican, featuring tandem pilot-seating configuration.

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  D77H-TCI Pelican

• D77C - Paramilitary variant used by law enforcement in urban areas.
• D77C-NMPD Pelican - The version of the D77C used by the New Mombasa Police Department.

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  D77C-NMPD Pelican

• G77S Gunship - A gunship variant of the D77 created by Isabel to fight the Banished.

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  G77S Gunship

D78 Pelican

• D78-TC Pelican - A less common model used after the Covenant War, with improved avionics and thrusters

D79 Pelican

• D79-TC Pelican - The UNSC's standard dropship as of 2557, replacing the aging D77 models.

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  D79-TC Pelican

• G79H-TC Pelican - The dedicated gunship variant of the D79 Pelican.

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  G79H-TC Pelican

Individualized types

• ONI stealth type - A modification plan used by ONI to retrofit two individual Pelicans (Bogof and Tart-Cart) with numerous upgrades changing their sizes and mission capabilities.

Unidentified Pelican encounters

After late 2561, Pelican Echo 216 found John-117 in a field of detritus near a Halo ring.