L3Harris completes first batch of F-16 Viper Shield electronic warfare systems

CLIFTON, N.J., Sept. 3, 2026 — L3Harris Technologies has finished building the first 35 Viper Shield electronic warfare and countermeasure systems for F-16s, advancing a program the company says is the only F-16 EW suite currently in production and backed by orders from eight allied nations.

The system is designed to detect, classify and defeat electronic threats, providing protective coverage for the aircraft. It can be installed inside the jet or carried as an external pod, and the company has assembled its first pod using production hardware as part of the effort to scale manufacturing.

L3Harris said it is increasing output toward full-rate production to fulfill 233 systems now on order. The company added that additional partners selecting the suite would tap into an active line with established quality controls and a supply chain sized for high-volume demand.

“The $1 billion shared investment by countries operating F-16s means the U.S. Air Force and National Guard could benefit from joining the program,” said Chris Aebli, President, Communications & Spectrum Dominance, L3Harris. “The foreign investment is funding development, lab testing, flight testing and current production of Viper Shield systems, which presents the United States with a savings opportunity to avoid upfront costs.”

Viper Shield is tailored for Block 70/72 aircraft, is fully interoperable with the APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, and is compatible with earlier F-16 variants. Its all-digital, software-defined design leverages commercial components to reduce size and weight and streamline future upgrades.