L3Harris Starts Low Rate Production Of New F-16 Viper Shield

November 19, 2025

L3Harris is ready to start initial rate production of the F-16’s next generation electronic warfare system, the Viper Shield. (Image: L3Harris)

L3Harris is ready to start low-rate initial production of the Viper Shield, a next-generation software-defined electronic warfare (EW) upgrade for the U.S. Air Force fleet of F-16 fighter jets.

The new AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield recently completed a Production Readiness Review (PRR), according to a company update about the system. The PRR is a comprehensive evaluation process that examines multiple facets of a program, such as design integrity, manufacturing processes, quality assurance protocols and supply chain logistics. The review is especially important for Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs, where international customers rely on high-quality standards and thorough system validation.

Through the process, Viper Shield demonstrated its readiness to transition from initial production to the low-rate initial production of 219 systems for seven partner nations.

“Protecting allies in electromagnetic spectrum environments is critical to maintaining global security and stability," said Michael Rigoni, Air Force Colonel and Electronic Warfare Program Manager, F-16 System Program Office, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. "L3Harris' success in this PRR moves Viper Shield into low-rate initial production with full rate expected in Q1 ’26 and demonstrates its commitment to providing global F-16 fighter pilots a high-quality electronic warfare suite to meet those challenges.”

Viper Shield’s software-defined technology components enable unprecedented digital radar threat warning and robust digital countermeasure capabilities in a fully integrated, internally mounted system. Its advanced digital radar warning receiver (DRWR) technology integrates seamlessly with the aircraft’s new APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar to deliver greater situational awareness. The digital radio frequency memory (DRFM)-based jamming system provides enhanced capability against advanced threats.

The Viper Shield electronic warfare suite conducted its first flight in January, from Edwards Air Force Base in California. The aircraft utilized for the test was a Block 70 F-16 Fighting Falcon flown by Maj. Anthony Pipe, an F-16 Experimental Test Pilot with the 416th Flight Test Squadron, Airpower Foundations Combined Test Force. (Image: Air Force photo by Todd Schannuth)

The open-system design accommodates seamless addition of combat-proven EW applications, providing state-of-the-art capability to address emerging and future threats. Enhanced system performance provides improved probability of intercept against agile threats. A new pilot and vehicle interface provides the pilot with full situational awareness and easier interaction with the system. New sophisticated technology prevents any EW interference to and from a wingman.

Viper Shield is designed with fewer critical components than previous generation EW systems. This not only results in a smaller form factor and reduced weight, but also a higher mean time between failure and lower lifecycle costs. The modular design supports swapping line replaceable units (LRUs) in the field. The design is also forward-looking by provisioning for future growth and enhancements.

In addition to passing the PRR, Viper Shield continues to undergo extensive testing and validation to ensure it performs effectively in extreme operational environments and conditions. This is vital for enhancing the operational capabilities of F-16 fleets, providing customers with advanced protection and resilience. The emphasis on hardware reliability and Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRL) has allowed L3Harris to scale up production to meet the growing demand.

Completion of the PRR follows the first flight of the new EW system on a single-seat Block 70 F-16 at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The flight included a series of risk reduction tests related to the mission computer and other avionic subsystems compatibility, as well as interoperability with the APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar.

Viper Shield will be integrated across all F-16 Blocks with minimal modifications to the aircraft, and is fully configurable with the aircraft’s current mission modular computer and the next generation mission computer.

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