Warplanes: Apache Goes Broadband

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October 9, 2007: The U.S. Army has received the first of 96 early model AH-64A Apaches helicopter gunships, rebuilt to the latest AH-64 (Block II) standard. The improved model has radar and night vision capabilities that enable it to operate 24/7, in any kind of weather. Also on board is a high speed modem, that enables the gunship to exchange pictures and video with other aircraft, and troops on the ground. This is becoming particularly useful, as more ground and air force aircraft are equipped for this. Being able to compare pictures and videos, from airborne and ground sources, in real time, has proved to be a major boost to quickly sorting out where the enemy is and what they are up to.