Viper Shield

To meet the challenge, the Viper Shield all-digital electronic warfare (EW) suite is custom designed to be baseline on advanced F-16 aircraft and maximize their survivability and mission success.

-generation EW System

In partnership with Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force, L3Harris is developing the new AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield to provide U.S. allies with cutting-edge countermeasures against sophisticated, ever-changing threats. This advanced EW system will provide a virtual electronic shield around the aircraft, enabling warfighters to complete missions safely in increasingly complex battlespace scenarios. Its modern, all-digital architecture using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology enables enhanced system performance, a smaller form factor, reduced weight and easier future upgrades.

Sophisticated and Integrated

Viper Shield’s software-defined technology components enable unprecedented digital radar threat warning and robust digital countermeasure capabilities in a fully integrated, internally mounted system. Its advanced digital radar warning receiver (DRWR) technology integrates seamlessly with the aircraft’s new APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar to deliver greater situational awareness. The digital radio frequency memory (DRFM)-based jamming system provides enhanced capability against advanced threats.

The open-system design accommodates seamless addition of combat-proven EW applications, providing state-of-the-art capability to address emerging and future threats. Enhanced system performance provides improved probability of intercept against agile threats. A new pilot and vehicle interface provides the pilot with full situational awareness and easier interaction with the system. New sophisticated technology prevents any EW interference to and from a wingman.

Lower Lifecycle Costs, Easier to Upgrade

Viper Shield is designed with fewer critical components than generation EW systems. This not only results in a smaller form factor and reduced weight, but also a higher mean time between failure and lower lifecycle costs. The modular design supports swapping line replaceable units (LRUs) in the field. The design is also forward-looking by provisioning for future growth and enhancements. Its 3U COTS technology and software-defined architecture will simplify future upgrades, enabling the warfighter to affordably modernize with new capabilities and technologies, minimizing obsolescence.

L3Harris has provided EW systems on F-16s for more than 30 years, with our existing systems protecting the fleets of many nations around the world. Several international air forces have already committed to Viper Shield based on its operational capability, advanced technology and affordability. This continues our 60-plus-year legacy of developing advanced EW technology to ensure superiority across the spectrum. Our EW solutions are deployed across all domains – land, sea, air, space – to defeat threats at every level of engagement.

Virtual Electronic Shield

Building upon the success of L3Harris' existing EW systems, the cutting-edge Viper Shield joins the mission. L3Harris is partnering with Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force to develop Viper Shield and provide cutting-edge countermeasures against sophisticated, ever-changing threats. It will result in a virtual electronic shield around the aircraft, enabling warfighters to complete missions safely in increasingly complex battlespace scenarios. Its modern, all-digital architecture using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technology enables enhanced system performance, a smaller form factor, reduced weight and easier future upgrades.

Viper Shield’s software-defined technology components enable unprecedented digital radar threat warning and robust digital countermeasure capabilities in a fully integrated, internally mounted system. The open-system design accommodates seamless addition of combat-proven EW applications, providing state-of-the art capability to address emerging and future threats. Enhanced system performance provides improved probability of intercept against agile threats. A new pilot and vehicle interface provides the pilot with full situational awareness and easier interaction with the system. New sophisticated technology prevents any EW interference to and from a wingman.

Forward-Looking Design

Viper Shield is designed with fewer critical components than generation EW systems. This not only results in a smaller form factor and reduced weight, but also a higher mean time between failure and lower lifecycle costs. The modular design supports swapping line replaceable units (LRUs) in the field. The design is also forward-looking by provisioning for future growth and enhancements. Its 3U COTS technology and software-defined architecture will simplify future upgrades, enabling the warfighter to affordably modernize with new capabilities and technologies, minimizing obsolescence.

Self-protection against emerging and future threats

Maximum survivability and mission success

Greater situational awareness

Lower lifecycle costs

Easier future upgrades

Viper Shield can be configured internally on the F-16 or in a podded solution, utilizing the same physical component hardware in both configurations. This versatile design enables 100% hardware commonality between internal and pod configurations and reduces overall maintenance, support and lifecycle cost, particularly where the end user deploys a combination of new and upgraded F-16s.

L3Harris has provided EW systems on F-16s for more than 30 years and to international partners for over 20 years. Several international air forces have already committed to Viper Shield based on its operational capability, advanced technology and affordability. This continues our 60-plus-year legacy of developing advanced EW technology to ensure superiority across the spectrum. Our EW solutions are deployed across all domains – land, sea, air, space – to defeat threats at every level of engagement.

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