The U.S. Air Force-led flight test program covers both single-seat and two-seat F-16 aircraft and is described as critical for refining the system. L3Harris said the effort is intended to ensure Viper Shield delivers electronic warfare capabilities that surpass legacy systems and competing offerings.
“Our systematic testing strategy, which includes lab-based hardware and software assessments, dense radio frequency environment simulations, and comprehensive ground and flight validations, underscores the unmatched functionality and reliability of Viper Shield,” said Travis Ruhl, Director of International Business Development at L3Harris. “With each test, Viper Shield proves its maturity and quality, reinforcing its position years ahead of the competition.”
The company has also delivered the first production candidate version of Viper Shield operational software for formal testing, marking a step toward the final stages of testing and deployment. L3Harris said this milestone reaffirms its commitment to providing advanced electronic warfare capabilities to support warfighter safety and mission success.
According to the company, flight testing represents the highest level of proving the system’s reliability, robustness and ability to counter modern threats with precision. Each test allows engineers to fine-tune software-defined capabilities and identify and eliminate potential issues ahead of operational deployment.
L3Harris said extensive evaluations have validated Viper Shield’s full integration across the F-16, including the mission computer, avionic subsystems and interoperability with the APG-83 AESA radar. Designed to counter modern radar threats through rapid detection and advanced jamming responses, the system integrates across all F-16 blocks with minimal aircraft modifications and supports both current and next-generation mission computers.
The company said substantial investment in factory optimization, test automation and a fully funded production line supports rapid delivery of the system. Selected by seven nations, Viper Shield is positioned by L3Harris as the electronic warfare system of choice for the global F-16 fleet.
