D96-TCE Albatross

The D96-TCE Albatross, formally known as the Dropship 96 - Troop Carrier, Equipment, is a heavy-lift dropship used by the United Nations Space Command. It was developed and produced by Ushuaia Armory.

Background
The D96-TCE Albatross has been in service since at least 2517. It is a vital part of the UNSC's logistical operations, capable of deploying personnel, vehicles, weapons, and supplies deep behind enemy lines. It serves as both an atmospheric and exoatmospheric vehicle capable of delivering troops and supplies wherever needed once a landing zone has been secured. Although the Albatross typically possesses no armament, its nimble maneuverability and heavily armored, expansive cargo bay allow it to transport troops, weapons, vehicles, and other supplies safely.

The Albatross' cargo bay is capable of transporting multiple vehicles and other heavy weapons at a time. Once it has landed, it lowers three metal ramps holding the bay, allowing its cargo to be unloaded. The Albatross can also be used as a makeshift base, indicating that it may also serve as a mobile field command post for the UNSC.

Known Albatross dropships

 * 03: Attached to the UNSC Aegis Fate, 03 crash-landed near an abandoned Jiralhanae base.

Trivia

 * An albatross is a seabird, in keeping with the UNSC's tradition of naming all it vehicles after animals, with the exceptions of the Cyclops and Gremlin, which are named after mythical creatures, and the Longsword, Shortsword, and Sabre, which are named after bladed weapons.
 * Some Albatrosses have words inscribed on their hulls by their crews, similar to those pilots painted on the exterior of their bombers in World War II. 03 bears the words "Covenant Killer Mk C" and "Humanity-1 Flood-0".

List of appearances

 * Halo 2
 * Halo 3
 * Halo: The Fall of Reach
 * Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp