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. It had become the UNSC's standard dropship by 2557, replacing the D77-TC and D77H-TCI models.

Overview
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 cannons mounted on a gimbal.

Gunship variant
In addition to the standard dropship model, a more heavily armed gunship model called the Gunship 79 Heavy Troop Carrier/Mobile Armory, is also used. This version has only one nose-mounted autocannon, with the second being replaced by an M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Cannon, a larger version of the infantry-issued "Spartan Laser". Its dorsal surface features a large turret-mounted cannon similar to that of a bomber, controlled through the gunner seat. A railgun turret is externally mounted on each side of the fuselage. Doubling as a mobile armory, the variant is also equipped with external racks allowing it to carry an abundance of weapons and ammunition.

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.
 * 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.

List of appearances

 * The Commissioning
 * Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn
 * Halo 4
 * Spartan Ops