MD-83B Merlin Direct Action Penetrator

D83A-TC Gull

"You ever fought and angry gull? Neither have I..."

- Flight Lieutenant Johan Huller

The D83B-AV Gull is a UNSC Aerodyne for air assault and close air support missions within atmospheres of planets, rather than the extra atmospheric and atmosphereic missions of the Pelican and the Petrel. The Gull is designed to be light, nimble and and fast, with a pair of powerful, vector thrust and tilt engines. The vehicle is capable of carrying plenty of infantry into combat zones and safely escort them groundside. The vehicle is extremely capable for this task, with a sealed cabin and folding doors, exposing the infantry inside, two remote controlled 20mm rotary cannons, capable of destroying light vehicles, numerous self defence systems and HOPE Launchers, allowing infnatry to safely jump to the LZ while the Gull can remain as high as possible. Since the vehicle is both smaller and more agile than the Pelican, it can negotiate more dangerous terrain more easily and make landing on smaller LZs.

It is different from the Gull dropship in that it now carriers a pilot TADS/PNVS system and two pylon wings on the nose that can mount either 6 missiles, 6 missile pods or 6 rocket pods, including TSAMs, PINCER missiles, ANVIL pods carrying four ANVIL missiles each, 6 CLAWS, 4 rocket INCSISOR pod or 8 rocket TUSK pods.

UNSC Comments
"The ability to carry multiple payloads means it can adapt to its mission requirement. Too many gunships? Use AIM missiles, hostiles ground side, use rocket pods, tanks? User PINCERS, SAM sites, use a TSAM."