Electronic warfare suite for F-16 Block 70 jets passes critical milestone
The Viper Shield EW system for the F-16V (Block 70/72) has achieved a critical design review milestone. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
The L3Harris Viper Shield EW system has moved a step closer to service entry with Foreign Military Sales customers after passing a critical design review.
L3Harris Technologies announced on 30 January a critical design review milestone for the AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield EW system which will provide offensive and defensive EW capabilities for F-16 Block 70/72 FMS aircraft.
Viper Shield successfully completed its CDR milestone with Lockheed Martin and the USAF observing. Designed as the baseline EW system on Block 70/72 aircraft, it will provide aircraft protection through using multiple digital radio frequency, memory-based jamming.
Ed Zoiss, president, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris said: 'As the only EW system for these aircraft to successfully achieve this CDR milestone, we are one step closer to helping our global customers detect and defeat modern advanced threats.'
Related Articles
Bahrain to receive first batch of F-16Vs in 2024
Turkish-US F-16 deal remains in deadlock
CAE to build F-16 Block 70 sims for Taiwan
In late 2022, Viper Shield demonstrated interoperability with the APG-83 active electronically scanned array radar during testing at Lockheed Martin's Systems Integration Lab. The internally mounted Viper Shield run on open-systems architecture using COTS to support future upgrades and lower lifecycle costs.
L3Harris has funded Viper Shield using internal research and development and international commitments.
Shephard Defence Insight lists a total of 140 F-16V aircraft on order from six international customers - Bahrain, Bulgaria, Jordan, Morocco, Slovakia and Taiwan. The latter country, along with Greece and South Korea is also upgrading in-service F-16 fleets to Block 70/72 standard.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family]()
AUSA 2024: General Micro Systems adds four new products to the X9 Spider family
The airborne three-domain, the two ground-based and the ¼ ATR OpenVPX-based cross-domain systems were engineered to provide real-time security across multi-domain operations.
-
![BAE Systems gets go-ahead for second phase of mission communications programme]()
BAE Systems gets go-ahead for second phase of mission communications programme
DARPA’s Mission-Integrated Network Control (MINC) programme was set up to develop an autonomous tactical network and enable critical data flow in contested environments.
-
![Just Released: Space Technology Report]()
Just Released: Space Technology Report
Why space is an essential part of modern military capabilities
-
![Work-from-home warfare: the power of mixed reality]()
Work-from-home warfare: the power of mixed reality
Defence-secure mixed reality headsets can save hours, or even weeks, of travel time to fix defunct equipment or get subject experts effectively “on-site” where they are needed.
-
![Northrop Grumman receives follow-on contract for CUAS and C-IED systems]()
Northrop Grumman receives follow-on contract for CUAS and C-IED systems
The Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) and Drone Restricted Access Using Known Electromagnetic Warfare (DRAKE) counter-UAS (CUAS) systems are mounted and dismounted RF jammers.
-
![Adarga’s Vantage AI software selected for UK Strategic Command’s Defence Support]()
Adarga’s Vantage AI software selected for UK Strategic Command’s Defence Support
Adarga’s Vantage information analysis tool is in service with the UK MoD and individual UK forces. It builds on the company’s Knowledge Platform which processes, organises and analyses open source material, as well as information held by the user’s military, security and intelligence services.
