The Viper Shield system is aimed at providing aircrews and commanders with enhanced situational awareness, allowing them to identify, locate, and counter threats more effectively and rapidly. Ed Zoiss, President of Space and Airborne Systems at L3Harris, emphasised the importance of the technology, stating, “Equipping aircrews and commanders with situational awareness about the electronic landscape gives them the ability to identify, locate and counter threats at the speed of relevance.”
The Viper Shield is currently the only advanced electronic warfare solution in active production and funded for international F-16 partners. Its small 3U form factor allows it to be installed in various F-16 configurations, making it adaptable to different needs. L3Harris is also in discussions with other US allies and partner nations to extend the availability of its EW technology.
The system offers two installation options: it can be integrated directly into the aircraft or used as an external pod, with both configurations using the same EW system hardware. This flexibility is supported by software-defined technology, enhancing both offensive and defensive capabilities for F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft. Moreover, Viper Shield is designed for future upgrades, ensuring it can evolve to meet emerging threats.
