L3Harris Technologies has completed production of the first 35 Viper Shield electronic warfare and countermeasure systems for the global F-16 fleet.
Viper Shield is designed to detect, identify, and counter electronic threats. The system can be integrated internally into the aircraft or configured as an external pod, with L3Harris also completing its first pod using production systems.
The system is currently in production for eight allied nations, with 233 Viper Shield systems on order. L3Harris is now increasing production capacity to support the existing orders.
“The $1 billion shared investment by countries operating F-16s means the U.S. Air Force and National Guard could benefit from joining the program,” said Chris Aebli, President, Communications & Spectrum Dominance, L3Harris. Later, he stated, “The foreign investment is funding development, lab testing, flight testing, and current production of Viper Shield systems, which presents the United States with a savings opportunity to avoid upfront costs.”
Viper Shield is designed for F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft and is interoperable with the APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar. It is also compatible with earlier F-16 blocks.
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The system uses an all-digital, software-defined architecture based on commercial off-the-shelf technology. This provides a compact form factor and reduced weight while allowing future upgrades to be implemented through the system’s digital architecture.
For the F-16 fleet, the production programme establishes a supply chain for electronic warfare systems while supporting future integration, upgrades and sustainment of the aircraft’s defensive systems.
