L3Harris Technologies is advancing development for the F-16 Block 70/72 Viper Shield electronic warfare system. The developer announced that this electronic warfare system has undergone critical analysis recently. Designed as the basic EW system on the new F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft, the system will provide a virtual electronic shield that will increase the protection of the aircraft with a multi-frequency digital radio frequency jamming system.

Lockheed Martin and the US Air Force chose L3Harris to develop the AN/ALQ-254 (V) 1 Viper Shield integrated air defense system in 2021. The system has been specially designed for the F-16 Block 70/72, which is intended for sale to foreign armies. Viper Shield technology components detect radar threats and provide digital countermeasures in a fully integrated internal system.

The system’s advanced digital radar receiver integrates with the new APG-83 active electronically scanned array radar, providing greater situational awareness.

“A digital interference system based on radio frequency memory provides enhanced capabilities against modern threats“, the company said in a statement.

In late 2022, the system showed compatibility with the APG-83 radar system for the F-16.

It has an open system architecture that is fully integrated and internally assembled, using off-the-shelf commercial technologies to simplify future upgrades and reduce lifecycle costs. It will be reminded that L3Harris Technologies will also strengthen the combat capabilities of F-16 warplanes for Bahrain, Jordan and Morocco. As part of the agreement, the American technology company will integrate 105 weapon launch systems into the F-16. L3Harris’s BRU-57/A beam mount for the F-16 allows for additional ammunition to be suspended from the aircraft.