Intelligence: September 19, 2000

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The US Army has seven RC-7 Airborne Reconnaissance Low aircraft. Two are configured for communications intelligence. The other five (including one delivered in late August) have this capability but also have long-range cameras and synthetic aperture radars. The three based in South Korea have different communications interception gear than the other four. Another RC-7 crashed last year, and Congress gave the Army $30 million for a replacement. The Army is now looking for a used DeHaviland Canada Model 7 aircraft they can rebuild into the new RC-7. They are also debating whether to make it a copy of those already in service or upgrade some of the systems.--Stephen V Cole