The world's most lethal and survivable helicopter, the AH-64 Apache, is equipped with a variety of cutting edge technology to give it an upper hand against adversaries.

Survivable helicopters are designed to withstand damage and continue to operate in dangerous conditions.

The United States showcased the Apache along with other military helicopters in December during exercise Desert Talon 24, conducted with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The drills demonstrated the specialized assault capabilities of US Army aviation, particularly those of the UH-60 Black Hawk, CH-47 Chinook and the AH-64D/E Apache.

More than 1,280 Apache aircraft are in operation worldwide, with a collective five million flight hours -- 1.3 million of which have been in combat, according to its manufacturer.

The Apache has seen action in every major US and NATO conflict since it was first used in combat in 1989 during the US invasion of Panama.

It has twin-engines, four-blades, tailwheel-type landing gear and a tandem cockpit for a crew of two.

The Guardian

The newest iteration, the AH-64E Guardian, is set to be in production until at least 2028, with major upgrades making it the world's most advanced attack helicopter.

The modernized Apache comes with software updates that enhance its capabilities, improve the pilot interface, and allow for faster integration of new technologies via an open systems architecture, according to the US Army.

The Guardian uses the Integrated Helmet and Display Sight System (IHADSS)-21 system, which enables crews to aim weapons by looking at targets.

Its M230 chain gun, for example, can be controlled by the movements of the gunner’s head.

The 30-mm M230 is a single-barrel, electrically-driven chain gun that fires high explosive dual purpose or high explosive incendiary ammunition at rates of up to 650 rounds per minute.

The cannon is capable of single shot, controlled, burst and fully automatic firing modes with a lethality range of 2,000 meters.

Lethality

The AH-64E is designed to fly at very low altitudes to avoid enemy detection and attack in high-threat environments.

The Guardian's engines give it a max speed of 304km/h, a max range of 483km and a service ceiling of 6,096 meters.

The Apache also has four hard points that can mount up to 16 AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, a family of 45.4kg air-to-ground missiles with high-explosive anti-tank capabilities for armored targets and blast fragmentation for "soft" targets.

Hellfire missiles have a maximum range of 8km for indirect fire and 7.1km for direct fire, allowing the aircraft to engage targets at maximum standoff ranges.

The hard points also can carry two Hydra 70 rocket pods with fin-stabilized unguided air-to-surface aerial rockets that can be equipped with both unitary and cargo warheads for use against point and area targets.