Watch: Everything that's new about the world's most advanced attack helicopter

When the UK put in its order for 50 Apache AH-64Es, it committed to an upgrade on the most advanced attack helicopters in the world.

The new aircraft is described as being faster, deadlier and more connected to the modern battlefield – and Forces News has been given a close-up at the aircraft.

The new AH-64E Apache can detect 256 potential targets at once within a 16km range – prioritising the most urgent threats within seconds.

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Lieutenant Colonel Simon Wilsey, Commanding Officer of 3 Regiment Army Air Corps, said assets on board offer greater connectivity and "situational awareness" to the crew.

Better sensors and weapon systems "make it much more lethal, survivable and integrated," he added.

Watch: More than a dozen new AH-64Es are undergoing test flights with the British Army.

Warrant Officer Class One "O", 662 Squadron Helicopter Instructor, said video feeds can be shared with other aircraft and to the ground below.

"We'll be able to downlink from UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), as well," they continued.

"So before we get to a target area, we can already see what we're going into."

A different 'Romeo' variant of the well-established Hellfire missiles will be swapped in, he added, while the 30mm gun will remain the same.

New Hydra-70 rockets will take the place of the previous CRV7s, and will be joined by joint air-ground missiles.

Captain Jimmy Webb, US Army Exchange Officer, said the faster upgrade will "communicate more effectively digitally" with NATO platforms.