L3Harris Technologies completed production of its initial 35 Viper Shield electronic warfare systems for the F-16 fleet on Sept. 3, 2026, at its facility in Clifton, N.J., according to l3harris.com. The company assembled the first external pod using these production units, marking a milestone for the system designed specifically for Block 70/72 aircraft.
What it means
The Viper Shield is the only F-16 electronic warfare system currently in production. It detects and counters electronic threats and can be installed as an integrated internal system or carried as an external pod. The architecture relies on commercial-off-the-shelf technology and is software-defined, allowing compatibility with all previous F-16 blocks and interoperability with APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar.
L3Harris is ramping toward full-rate production to meet demand from eight allied nations. There are currently 233 systems on order. Chris Aebli, president of Communications & Spectrum Dominance at L3Harris, noted the broader financial commitment behind the program. “The $1 billion shared investment by countries operating F-16s means the U.S. Air Force and National Guard could benefit from joining the program,” Aebli said.
Key facts
- 35 initial production units completed Sept. 3, 2026
- 233 total systems currently on order
- 8 allied nations have placed orders
- $1 billion in shared investment by F-16 operating countries
- Production located in Clifton, N.J.
- Designed for Block 70/72 aircraft; compatible with all previous blocks
- Interoperable with APG-83 AESA radar
Source: L3Harris Technologies news release (l3harris.com)