L3Harris Technologies has successfully completed the first two-ship flight test of its Viper Shield electronic warfare system aboard F-16 fighter aircraft, marking a significant milestone toward full-rate production for eight customer nations.
The flight tests were conducted at Edwards Air Force Base in California, where F-16C and F-16D aircraft flew together for the first time equipped with Viper Shield hardware.
According to L3Harris, the test demonstrated the system’s ability to operate effectively during realistic multi-aircraft missions while detecting, identifying, and countering emerging electromagnetic threats.
Engineers also assessed Viper Shield’s integration with the F-16’s existing avionics across multiple mission profiles. The evaluations focused on the system’s digital architecture, interoperability, and ability to deliver rapid responses in complex electronic warfare environments.
Viper Shield Production Milestones
L3Harris said production is now accelerating to support the 233 Viper Shield systems currently planned. With eight countries having selected the electronic warfare solution, the company is expanding its production capacity to meet increasing international demand.
