L3Harris Technologies has successfully completed the initial flight test of its innovative Viper Shield all-digital electronic warfare (EW) suite aboard an F-16 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base in California. This significant demonstration involved comprehensive risk reduction assessments focused on the capability’s mission computer and its compatibility with the avionics subsystems of the F-16.
A key aspect of the flight test was the evaluation of Viper Shield’s interoperability with the advanced APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar, developed by Northrop Grumman as part of an upgrade to the F-16. The initial flight was a coordinated effort with the U.S. Air Force’s 412th Test Wing, which specializes in evaluating aircraft and solutions for various missions, including combat support and training.
Maj. Anthony Pipe, a U.S. Air Force F-16 Experimental Test Pilot, expressed the significance of this achievement, noting that it marks a substantial enhancement in capability for both the F-16 and the pilots who operate it. He described the Viper Shield system, especially in combination with the Block 70 airframe, as a significant upgrade over the traditional Block 50 variant, which he had previously flown. Pipe emphasized that the advancements brought about by Viper Shield will bolster the safety and effectiveness of pilots flying these modernized aircraft.
The Viper Shield suite is designed to provide a “low-risk, low-cost” countermeasure against contemporary radar threats. Its innovative technology integrates jamming responses with rapid detection capabilities, enabling the immediate disruption of adversarial operations within the kill chain. Notably, Viper Shield is compatible with all F-16 configurations and requires minimal setup.
L3Harris further highlighted that the EW suite can seamlessly integrate with both existing mission modular computers and newer, next-generation mission computer systems. The Viper Shield suite is currently being installed in F-16 fleets operated by six international partners, demonstrating its broad applicability and future potential.
Ed Zoiss, President of L3Harris Space and Airborne Systems, reflected on the successful test flight, attributing the achievement to their comprehensive approach of testing hardware and software in laboratory settings, showcasing functionality in complex radio frequency environments, and validating the EW system on the ground. With this milestone, L3Harris is poised to advance flight testing further and deliver the Viper Shield systems by late 2025, asserting that it is the only advanced EW solution currently funded and in active production for international F-16 partners.
