UK firm Skycutter comes out top in first US Drone Dominance Program competition
The startup was the only UK company to take part in the first Gauntlet for the programme, joining forces with its Ukraine partner to participate in the event.
World Defense Show 2026: L3Harris to achieve full-rate production of Viper Shield soon
Poland has ordered Viper Shield as part of its F-16 upgrade programme. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
L3Harris has completed the production candidate software load for its Viper Shield airborne electronic warfare system and is conducting sea trials with its VAMPIRE counter-drone system.
L3Harris is in the process of “ramping up to full-rate production” for its Viper Shield airborne digital electronic warfare suite, which will be achieved in the next two months, according to a company official at the World Defense Show 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Travis Ruhl, director of international business development and Viper Shield and electronic warfare lead for L3Harris, noted: “We have not disclosed what that will be [at full production] but it will be plenty.”
Ruhl added: “The hardware is solidified [and] where the programme sits today, the hardware is coming off the line and it is in its most
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