The McDonnell-Douglas (Boeing) AH-64 helicopter was selected as the winner in a competition with Bell's YAH-63 in December 1976. The name Apache was attached to the helicopter in 1981. This highly efficient machine has four-bladed propellers driven by two 1,696 hp General Electric T700-701 turbo engines. The rudimentary wings are fitted with conventional trailing edge flaps, and slatted fins improve longitudinal control. Two crew members take their seats one behind the other in the armored cabin. The pilot's seat is in the back and the weapons operator/gunner is in the front. The key to universal use of the helicopter is the TADS system on the gunner's stand and the PNVS system used by the pilot. TADS is a combination of a laser designator and target tracking rangefinder and a forward-looking infrared sensor that is duplicated by conventional optics. The PNVS system is a developed FLIR system that allows the helicopter to be piloted directly above the ground to prevent or delay detection by enemy air defenses. Apache helicopters participated in the operation in Panama in 1989, during "Desert Storm" in 1991 or in the last conflict in Iraq (2003). In late 1990, construction began on a new version of the helicopter equipped with an overhead Martin / Westinghouse Longbow millimeter radar for weapons control. Used to control Rockwell AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles. Technical data: Maximum speed: 300 km / h; rate of climb 12.7 m/s, maximum range (without external tanks): 689 km, armament: