“Seven U.S. partner nations, most recently Poland, have selected Viper Shield for the suite’s advanced EW capabilities and ease of upgrade,” said Ed Zoiss, President, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris. “Future customers – especially those who operate the F-16 Block 50 or earlier – may prefer the flexibility of the Viper Shield external Pod to increase aircraft survivability.”
The system is designed to be affordable through its active production line, partner funding and company investment. Its podded version allows for reduced acquisition needs, as operators can support multiple aircraft with fewer systems.
Rapid fielding and open-system architecture enable integration of future technologies, such as advanced radar and situational awareness enhancements. Both podded and internal versions share commercial off-the-shelf technology and software-defined features.
Viper Shield is lighter, smaller and more modular than earlier systems, fitting across all F-16 blocks. Components can be easily replaced in the field, with capacity to add advanced capabilities via upgrades.
The pod and internal components are identical, supporting interoperability for coalition partners. Maintenance of the pod is also simplified by commercial contracting and its separation from the aircraft, which reduces downtime.
“Whether Viper Shield customers select the Pod variant, internal variant or both, they’ll extend the F-16’s operational life to enhance their fleet,” said Zoiss. “We’ve applied decades of F-16 EW experience to Viper Shield so these venerable fighter jets can evolve to meet the challenges of the modern battlefield and bring pilots home safely.”
Source: L3Harris Technologies.
