Viper Shield is the only fully funded, in-production and variant-agnostic solution to meet the electronic warfare demands of F-16 operators around the world as they tackle the challenges of 2027 and beyond.
L3Harris’ advanced Viper Shield electronic warfare (EW) suite is breaking new ground and achieving vital production milestones that are setting new industry standards. The system is deep into its development cycle, production hardware is undergoing rigorous flight testing, showcasing its unparalleled capabilities and readiness for the global F-16 fleet. Additionally, its versatile podded solution offers enhanced protection for both legacy and modern aircraft.
“Viper Shield sets the benchmark for electronic warfare systems for F-16 operators worldwide,” said Ed Zoiss, President, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris.
“Our system is not only fully funded and in production, but its advanced capabilities and unrivaled support make it far superior to anything our competitors can offer. Even the United States’ active duty and Guard units stand to gain significantly from this FMS-funded program,” he added.
Here are the top reasons Viper Shield enhances offensive and defensive capabilities of the F-16 to tackle the challenges of 2027 and beyond.
Expanding Flexibility and Protection
Introduced in 2025, customers interested in fleet flexibility now have a podded option for Viper Shield, ensuring legacy F-16 variants can be upgraded effortlessly, maintaining their relevance and effectiveness in modern combat scenarios.
The system’s exceptional versatility as a podded solution allows it to be integrated with a wide range of F-16 models to meet diverse mission requirements. By leveraging a podded system, Viper Shield can be attached to aircraft quickly and with minimal modifications, providing the same high level of EW protection as fully integrated systems.
Seamless Integration with F-16 Variants
One of Viper Shield’s most impressive features is its compatibility with various F-16 configurations. It seamlessly fits into the Block 70/72 new aircraft, as well as the Block 40 and Block 50 F-16 fleets, including D-models, without requiring any redesign.
It can also be integrated into previous F-16 blocks through a podded system, which attaches to an aircraft without requiring extensive internal modifications. The podded system incorporates the same Line Replaceable Units, optimizing sustainment while ensuring the same electronic warfare protection regardless of internal or external configuration.
This adaptability puts Viper Shield 3-5 years ahead of its competitors, guaranteeing that L3Harris’ international partners receive the most advanced capabilities.
Robust Funding and Expanding Partnerships
The development of Viper Shield is fully funded and backed by seven partner nations, with more expected to join this year.
This not only underscores the immense confidence and trust that global partners place in L3Harris's capabilities but also ensures the program's sustainability and growth. This funding allows for continuous innovation and adaptation, keeping Viper Shield at the forefront of electronic warfare technology.
These international partnerships facilitate shared expertise, collaborative development efforts, and streamlined integration processes across various F-16 platforms. As a result, Viper Shield is better positioned to evolve in response to emerging threats and technological advancements.
System Performing Under Pressure
Viper Shield production hardware flight testing began in January 2025 with test flight in a single-seat Block 70 F-16. In addition, environmental testing of production hardware in an anechoic chamber has commenced and will prove Viper Shield’s ability to perform reliably in various operational conditions.
Spiral software development of the all-digital, software-defined system continues, allowing the L3Harris team to test enhancements while also producing hardware for current customers.
In Production and Scaling to Meet Demand
Ushering in the next generation of digital fighter pilot protection, Viper Shield is designed for modern aircraft to defeat advanced threats. With units already in production for nearly a year, the team is rapidly scaling operations to surpass customer demands.
L3Harris is not just meeting, but exceeding Viper Shield production milestones, aggressively expanding manufacturing capabilities, and is far ahead of any competition. This swift production timeline underscores the company’s unrivaled ability to meet global demands with unparalleled precision and speed.
