L3Harris Technologies has announced the successful first flight of its all-digital electronic warfare (EW) suite, Viper Shield, integrated into a single-seat Block 70 F-16 operated by the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
Designed to deliver advanced EW capabilities, Viper Shield enhances the operational effectiveness of F-16 fighter fleets for six international partners. The maiden flight included risk reduction tests focusing on the mission computer, avionic subsystem compatibility, and interoperability with the APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar.
“This flight launches the latest capability enhancement for the F-16 and our warfighters. The Viper Shield system combined with a Block 70 airframe creates a leap in capability compared to the traditional Block 50 Viper I grew up flying,” said Maj. Anthony Pipe, F-16 Experimental Test Pilot, U.S. Air Force. “The EW advancements this system brings will ensure pilots flying these aircraft continue to make it home.”
Ed Zoiss, President of Space and Airborne Systems at L3Harris, emphasized the robust development process leading to this milestone. “Our building block approach to test hardware and software in labs, demonstrate functionality in dense radio frequency environments, and validate the EW system on the ground prepared us for Viper Shield’s successful first flight. With this milestone, we are ready to continue flight testing and deliver systems in late 2025 as Viper Shield is the only advanced EW solution that is funded and in active production for international F-16 partners.”
Viper Shield offers a low-risk, cost-effective solution designed to counter modern radar threats through immediate detection and advanced jamming capabilities. The system integrates seamlessly across all F-16 Blocks with minimal aircraft modifications and is fully compatible with both the current Mission Modular Computer and the Next Generation Mission Computer.