L3Harris Technologies has announced a significant milestone for its Viper Shield electronic warfare system, developed for the F-16 fighter aircraft, after successfully passing a crucial evaluation by the US Air Force. This evaluation has paved the way for the system’s transition to low-rate initial production, marking an important step in its deployment.
The Production Readiness Review (PRR) involved a comprehensive analysis of the Viper Shield’s design, assembly processes, quality assurance standards, and supply chain reliability. The successful review comes at a critical time when several allied nations are looking to enhance their F-16 fleets to better combat radar threats, jamming, and enemy tracking capabilities.
L3Harris is now preparing to commence the production of an initial batch of 219 Viper Shield systems intended for partner nations. In addition to its base model, the system will also be available in a Pod version that can be mounted externally. This configuration is set to provide operators with increased flexibility in deployment.
The company anticipates that full-rate production of the Viper Shield technology will begin by the first quarter of fiscal 2026. US Air Force Col. Michael Rigoni, who oversees electronic warfare programs at the F-16 System Program Office in Ohio, emphasized the importance of this advancement, stating, “Protecting allies in electromagnetic spectrum environments is critical to maintaining global security and stability.” He highlighted that L3Harris’ achievement in the PRR underscores its commitment to equipping global F-16 fighter pilots with a high-quality electronic warfare suite capable of addressing modern challenges.
As production progresses, the Viper Shield system will undergo further extensive testing to ascertain its capabilities in challenging battlefield scenarios, including conditions with heavy jamming and electronic disruption. The development of the suite is fully financed by partner nations, ensuring that L3Harris can sustain an active production line even as additional countries seek to upgrade their F-16 capabilities.
According to Ed Zoiss, president of space and airborne systems at L3Harris, the system is backed by seven allied nations currently involved in production, with a new Pod customer expected to join soon. He stated, “These advancements make it the premier choice for all countries operating the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Even the United States, both active duty and Guard units, could greatly benefit from this [Foreign Military Sales]-funded program.”
With this development, L3Harris aims to reinforce the electronic warfare capabilities of the F-16 platform, contributing to the overall effectiveness and safety of allied air forces in complex operational environments.
