January 18, 2008: Colombia is buying $13 million worth of Star SAFIRE HD stabilized, multi-sensor surveillance turrets, plus spares, support and training. These units, which cost less than $100,000 each, are fully stabilized, day/night cameras that will equip most of Colombia's 90 helicopters. Weighing 120 pounds, the SAFIRE units have been in use for nearly a decade, and are another example of rapidly developing technology becoming smaller, lighter, more robust, and cheaper. The SAFIRE unit enables the helicopters to operate effectively at night. Similar units are being used by police, and to guard bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. The stabilization means that, no matter how the helicopter moves, the picture stays stable.