Warplanes: November 6, 2000

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Fighter design.--Stephen V Cole

Advanced Technologies and Engineering of South Africa plans to offer an upgrade package for Russian-built Mi-24 Hind gunships in service with African and Eastern European countries. Known as the Mi-24-Mark-III, the upgrade includes day and night operations capability, new Ingwe anti-tank missiles made in South Africa by Kentron, a 20mm cannon (replacing the old Russian 23mm gun), a stabilized sight with TV and forward-looking infrared, a laser rangefinder, global positioning system navigation, and a helmet-mounted sight. Optional add-ons include identification friend-or-foe, heads-up display, secure communications, self-protection jammers. About 1,500 Hinds exist outside of Russia, and ATE hopes to sell upgrade packages to at least 10% of those. Rumor has it that Algeria plans to have its