L3Harris Technologies has begun producing its AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield electronic warfare suite for Block 70/72 F-16 fighter jets destined for six US partners.
A total of 166 Viper Shields will be produced for an accumulated contract amount of $1 billion, head of L3Harris’ airborne combat systems business Jennifer Lewis said last week.
Additional nations are also in talks for the suite, which would potentially raise the total contract amount to $1.5 billion, she added.
The suite’s recipients were not identified. However, they are likely to include Bahrain, Bulgaria, Morocco, Slovakia, and Taiwan, as these countries have been approved to purchase the Block 70/72, according to the US Department of State foreign military sales notifications.
Greece and Jordan have also bought the Block 70/72, but it’s not clear whether the Viper Shield is included with the purchase.
“We are proud of the Viper Shield technology our engineers developed and the fact that it serves as the only advanced electronic warfare solution that is funded and in active production for international F-16 partners,” President of Space and Airborne Systems at L3Harris Ed Zoiss said.
“The system’s small 3U form factor enables installation in multiple F-16 block configurations.”
Viper Shield
Lockheed Martin and the US Air Force selected L3Harris to design the AN/ALQ-254(V)1 for the F-16 Block 70/72 in 2021.
The Block 70/72 is intended for foreign military sales.
Its electronic warfare suite comprises a digital radar warning receiver and a digital countermeasure system.
The receiver integrates with the aircraft’s new APG-83 active electronically scanned array radar, providing greater situational awareness.
Viper Shield offers two installation options: integrated within the aircraft or as an external pod with the same electronic warfare system hardware.
“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,” Zoiss added.