D96-TCE Albatross
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The D96-TCE Albatross, formally designated as the D96 Troop Carrier, Equipment Dropship,[1] is a heavy-lift dropship in service with the United Nations Space Command.[2] Manufactured by Ushuaia Armory, the Albatross is one of the UNSC's primary modes of long-range matériel deployment, transporting troops, vehicles, and equipment across long distances.[1] While the Albatross is an indispensable part of the UNSC's fleet of dropships,[1] it remains behind the Pelican in terms of importance.[5] The Albatross is similar in operation to the D82-EST Darter, which specializes in the transportation of base supplies.[1] The functionality of the D81-LRT Condor overlaps with both the Albatross and Darter, though the Condor is equipped with a slipspace drive.[3] ContentsSpecifications[edit] The interior of the Albatross in Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series A heavy-lift dropship manufactured by Ushuaia Armory, the D96-TCE Albatross is capable of deploying equipment behind enemy lines from both atmospheric and exoatmospheric locations. Although Albatrosses possess no offensive capabilities[2] as they are not typically armed, its nimble maneuverability and heavily protected, expansive cargo bay allow it to transport troops, vehicles, and equipment safely.[1] Lacking a slipspace drive,[3] the dropship's propulsion system consists of four engines, two on each side, attached to the Albatross' body.[1] The dropships are also equipped with an autopilot feature that allow them to be operated remotely by a dumb AI.[6] The cockpit, located at the front of the Albatross, allows for a single pilot and one or two crewmen. The Albatross' large cargo bay can carry between forty-five to fifty passengers, or vehicles and weapons for battlefield deployment.[1] Once the dropship has landed, the Albatross lowers three metal ramps holding the bay, allowing its cargo to be unloaded. Heavily armored, the Albatross is able to serve as a makeshift base or command center.[2] Operational history[edit]The Albatross has been a part of the United Nations Space Command's fleet of dropships for many decades. In 2517, during a training mission for the young Spartan-II candidates, an Albatross deployed the seventy-five children to the Military Wilderness Training Preserve in Reach's Highland Mountains.[1] An Albatross was later commandeered by the children to return back to the Reach Naval Officers Academy, autopiloted by the dumb AI Déjà.[6] The Albatross was also used throughout the Human-Covenant War. During the Battle of Installation 05 in 2552, UNSC In Amber Clad deployed the surveillance team RECON 127 to Installation 05 to investigate a Forerunner structure on an island, but the team met heavy Covenant opposition and their Albatross was shot down over the island.[4][7] UNSC Aegis Fate deployed the Albatross 03 to an abandoned Jiralhanae base, where the ultimately dropship crash-landed nearby.[8] Following the Covenant War, the Venezian Militia had acquired an assortment of Albatrosses, among other UNSC aircraft, hidden in a hanger under Mount Longdon Road in New Tyne.[9] After the Rookie's death in the rebellion on Draco III in 2554, an old Albatross was used by Alpha-Nine to bring his body out to one of Draco III's oceans.[10] Known Albatrosses[edit]
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