D79-TC Pelican

The D79-TC Pelican (formally designated Dropship 79 Heavy - Troop Carrier) is a UNSC dropship designed by Misriah Armory. In service as early as 2526, the D79 had become the UNSC's standard dropship by 2557, supplanting the D77 and D77H models. A gunship variant of the D79 Pelican also exists.

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.

Misriah's D81-LRT Condor uses an airframe nearly identical to the D79's, particularly with regard to the double canopies. However, the Condor possesses a slipspace drive and additional thrust nozzles.

Gunship variant

Main article: G79H-TC Pelican

In addition to the standard dropship model, a gunship model (designated 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.

Trivia

Browse more images in this article's gallery page.

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

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  Concept art of a Pelican bay on the UNSC Infinity

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  A D79 Pelican preparing to drop reinforcements on Requiem

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  A D79 flying over the canyons of Requiem

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  A D79 Pelican leaving Circinius IV

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  Detailed view of the dropship's engines

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  A crashed D79 Pelican at Two Giants

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  Detail of the Pelican's cockpit interior, flown by Tedra Grant

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  Two Pelicans flying in formation as they flee Requiem in 2558

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  Two Pelicans descend upon New Phoenix following the Didact's attack in 2557.

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  A D79-TC Pelican gunning down an Unggoy Storm

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  A Pelican barely avoiding a Wraith's plasma mortar

List of appearances

• The Commissioning (First appearance)
• Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn
• Halo 4
  • Spartan Ops
• Halo: Escalation
• Halo: Nightfall