http://popularmechanics.com/science/military/2001/10/killer_choppers/images/lg_PIX2.jpg

Built by Boeing/Sikorsky a new LH (light helicopter) for reconnaissance seems to be quite a vehicle. Removable weapon pod winglets, ability to do air to air combat, reduced noise, stealth like radar signature, reduced heat signature (which does not allow an infrared lock on by missiles), a box beam spine for strength, and a formidable array of sensors for night work and target acquisition. This seems to be part of what has been missing from the current vehicles for air/ground combat.

The old Cobra gunships, which were heavily armored, for attack of ground targets, were seriously lacking in sensor arrays. Requiring slower helicopters to stay with them to provide that backup data needed at night. This dependency was a formidable weak point in any night attack. These helicopters were slated to begin service in 1995.

Isn't that the Comanche?
It looks to me like an Apache with stealth. See the simularities?
The FLIR (Forward Looking Infra Red and radar-pod at the nose, almost the same weapons-configuration, and overall, the same principle on which they built (I think) both helicopters: in lame english, get a bunch of weapons, high tech to deliver them accurately and build the helicopter around this configuration.
Although it is said the Comanche has much better flying-capabilities than the Apache. Possibly because of the advanced rotor and fly by wire controls.

Without weapons pods?

Similar ... Earlier picture?

As you can probably see... The weapon bays on your picture are retractable. For better stealth capabilities. But it is the Comanche... which gives me the question: is wet1 's picture just another type of comanche or a completely different airframe?

It is most likely the Comanche. If you will notice the service date in the post stated that it went into service in 1995. I missed that at the time of the post.

There was some data not mentioned in the post about missions during the Gulf War that depended on the slower support ships needing to go with the combat mission to provide sensor, intellegence, and targeting data. These same ships required protection during the mission as they were the weak spot in the team.