Airbus to fly new CUAS UAV prototype this year
The counter-UAS prototype, named Low-cost Air Defence or ‘LOAD’, will be used to combat kamikaze UAS.
L3Harris’ Viper Shield for F-16s completes safety tests
According to L3Harris, Viper Shield has been engineered to allow for future capability upgrades, allowing to adjust to an evolving EW spectrum environment. (Photo: L3Harris)
Viper Shield is L3Harris Technologies’ latest digital electronic warfare suite designed for F-16 fighter jets. L3Harris is reportedly providing this EW capability to F-16 fleets in six countries.
L3Harris has completed the safety of flight (SOF) test qualification for its Viper Shield AN/ALQ-254 electronic warfare (EW) suite. The system can be provided as part of an F-16 platform upgrade for Block 70/72 fighters, or in a new build procurement, the company said.
Throughout the test, the Viper Shield successfully handled the strains for normal and extreme flight manoeuvres and passed a series of environmental and electronic tests, the company claimed, making it now fit for flight testing.
“Completing the comprehensive SOF evaluation is a significant milestone for Viper Shield and for our growing list of global customers,” said Ed Zoiss, president – space and airborne systems at L3Harris.
Related Articles
L3Harris on track to deliver Viper Shield in 2025
According to Zoiss, the EW system will begin flight testing “soon” and start delivering its capabilities in late 2025. L3Harris announced that Viper Shield had entered production on 17 September 2024. The company claimed that it was the only advanced EW solution that is funded and in active production for countries who operate F-16s.
Poland is one of the six international countries set for an upgrade to its F-16 fleet, with a request for 73 integrated Viper Shield EW suits as part of a Foreign Military Sales deal approved by the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) in October 2024.
As noted by Shephard Defence Insight, the Viper Shield is intended provide US allies with cutting-edge countermeasures against sophisticated and ever-changing threats.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![Airbus to fly new CUAS UAV prototype this year]()
-
![Taiwan receives first F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft]()
Taiwan receives first F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft
The aircraft is the first of 66 to be delivered to Taiwan from Lockheed Martin.
-
![Boeing to remanufacture five more US Army MH-47G Block II Chinooks]()
Boeing to remanufacture five more US Army MH-47G Block II Chinooks
The contract award, worth $240 million, is part of the ongoing effort by the US Army to modernise its Block II Chinook rotorcraft fleet.
-
![Avalon 2025: RAAF looks beyond 10 years to when future deliveries may restart]()
Avalon 2025: RAAF looks beyond 10 years to when future deliveries may restart
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has been substantially refreshed in the past two decades including F-35A and F/A-18F fighter aircraft, as well as the addition of transport aircraft such as C-17s, C-130 variants and C-27Js. Additional aircraft may only be a medium-term prospect.
-
![Avalon 2025: Australia’s missile and ordnance plans excite companies]()
Avalon 2025: Australia’s missile and ordnance plans excite companies
Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) industrial plan is ambitious and promises big spending in an effort to create a local and sovereign capability. Companies at last week’s Australian International Airshow near Melbourne were making their pitches.
-
![Avalon 2025: BAE Systems eyes customers for its Strix after initial flight]()
Avalon 2025: BAE Systems eyes customers for its Strix after initial flight
The Strix test effort suffered a setback last year when the prototype incurred minor damage in a hard landing during its second trial flight.
