Type-52 Troop Carrier
The Phantom is one of the Covenant’s primary methods of infantry transportation and deployment in both atmospheric and exoatmospheric environments. The T-52 Troop Carrier is composed of a circular central hull with a closed operator cabin in the fore and a pair of twin turbines set into the craft’s outer edges, which contour up and back into the shape of aerodynamic fins. On both sides lie open bay doors and below a ventral gravity lift, all three allowing swift and relatively painless infantry deployment in nearly any terrain type.
Slightly larger than the UNSC’s Pelican from nose to tail, the Phantom is capable of transporting up to 30 passengers, a number which is contingent, however, on personnel size. While it is wider than the Covenant’s more traditional Spirit dropship, the Phantom is significantly more maneuverable, particularly in tightly-cropped environments like narrow gorges, caverns or even the urban warrens of a human cityscape.
Though they are rarely deployed in a gunship role, Phantom’s tote an impressive armament, with a single heavy plasma cannon located underneath its nose and twin, flanking T-52 DESW (Directed Energy Support Weapons) propped in the dropship’s open bay doors. In addition to this, the Phantom can utilize its gravity lift for towing purposes, carrying a variety of vehicles into the battle including the Covenant’s heavy mortar tanks, the T-26 Wraith, which bring even more firepower to the fight.
