전투기 ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield, 바레인 공군의 F-16 블록 70에 실려 첫 시험비행

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2025년 1월 23일 캘리포니아주 에드워즈 공군기지에서 L3해리스와 록히드 마틴이 개발중인 ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield 전자전체계가 바레인공군에 인도 예정인 바이퍼에 실려 첫 시험비행을 실시했네요. 파일럿은 미공군 416 시험비행대대 소속이었다고 합니다. 

Viper Shield는 바레인, 불가리아, 모로코, 슬로바키아, 요르단과 대만이 주문한 바이퍼 168기에 탑재될 예정이고, 그리스는 바이퍼를 주문했지만 아직 어떤 전자전 장비를 채택했는지는 밝혀지지 않았습니다. 폴란드도 F-16C/D 블록52+ 48기의 중간수명연장이 예정됐으며, 이것이나 이와 동등한 전자전장비를 탑재할 예정입니다. 

Viper Shield는 2025년 후반기 인도돼 내년부터 실전투입될 예정이네요. 

경쟁제품인 듯한 ALQ-257 IVEWS는 작년 하반기 블록50에 실려 시험비행을 예정중이란 기사 뒤로는 후속기사가 안 보이네요. 

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F-16 Fighting Falcon NewsNew 'Viper Shield' electronic warfare system has first flight on a Bahraini F-16

February 5, 2025 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The first flight of the AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield electronic warfare suite was performed on an F-16C Block 70 of the Royal Bahraini Air Force at Edwards Air Force Base on Jan. 23, 2025.

The Viper Shield electronic warfare suite conducted its first flight Jan. 23, 2025, from Edwards Air Force Base in California. [Photo by Lockheed Martin]

The flight included a series of risk reduction tests related to the mission computer and other avionic subsystems compatibility, as well as interoperability with the APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar.

The Bahraini F-16C (RBAF n° 1601) was flown by a test pilot of the 416th Flight Test Squadron, Airpower Foundations Combined Test Force, at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

The AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield has been developed by L3Harris Technologies and Lockheed Martin. Its design is based on previous generations of electronic countermeasure technologies but incorporates an all-digital architecture.

It is internally mounted, integrates directly with the aircraft’s avionics suite and works alongside the APG-83 AESA radar. The system includes a digital radar warning receiver (DRWR) to detect and classify threats, providing real-time situational awareness to pilots. Unlike externally mounted electronic warfare pods, Viper Shield maintains the aircraft's aerodynamic profile and preserves external hardpoints for mission payloads.

The choice of a Bahraini jet is not casual, as two F-16s (a single seater and a twin seater) are at Edwards AFB and are being operated by the 412th Test Wing at Edwards for testing and eval‎uation work as part of the Foreign Military Sales process.

"The thing that we're most excited about is the advances in the EW capabilities that Viper Shield will bring to the F-16," said Maj. Anthony Pipe, the pilot assigned to the test flight. "One of the biggest advantages is going to be the ability of the RWR, or Radar Warning Receiver, to more accurately display, in a more accurate way and in a better human factors way, to the pilots the threats they may face."

L3Harris is already on contract to provide Viper Shield to “six international partners” for installation on 168 new F-16s, while additional retrofitting efforts are being explored for older aircraft. Among the F-16 Block 70s that will receive the system, according to FMS notifications, are Bahrain, Bulgaria, Morocco, Slovakia, Jordan and Taiwan. Greece is also acquiring Block 70s, but have not disclosed which EW suite they will use. Poland has received approval for a Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) package for its fleet of 48 F-16C/D block 52+ aircraft, which may include either Viper Shield or an equivalent system.

The delivery of Viper Shield is expected to start in late 2025, entering service during the next year.

Follow F-16.net on Bluesky for more Viper news and updates.

US Air Force Completes First Flight of L3Harris Viper Shield Electronic Warfare System | L3Harris® Fast. Forward.

US Air Force Completes First Flight of L3Harris Viper Shield Electronic Warfare System

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Space & Airborne Systems

Feb 4, 2025 | 2 MINUTE Read

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US Air Force Completes First Flight of L3Harris Viper Shield Electronic Warfare System

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L3Harris’ all-digital electronic warfare suite, Viper Shield™, completed its first flight in a single-seat Block 70 F-16 operated by the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, California. (Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin)

MELBOURNE, Fla., Feb. 4, 2025 — The L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) all-digital electronic warfare (EW) suite, Viper Shield™, has completed its first flight in a single-seat Block 70 F-16 operated by the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

Viper Shield provides the most advanced EW capability to F-16 fighter fleets for six international partners.  

“This flight launches the latest capability enhancement for the F-16 and our warfighters. The Viper Shield system combined with a Block 70 airframe creates a leap in capability compared to the traditional Block 50 Viper I grew up flying,” said Maj. Anthony Pipe, F-16 Experimental Test Pilot, U.S. Air Force. “The EW advancements this system brings will ensure pilots flying these aircraft continue to make it home.” 

The flight included a series of risk reduction tests related to the mission computer and other avionic subsystems compatibility, as well as interoperability with the APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) fire control radar.

“Our building block approach to test hardware and software in labs, demonstrate functionality in dense radio frequency environments and validate the EW system on the ground prepared us for Viper Shield’s successful first flight,” said Ed Zoiss, President, Space and Airborne Systems, L3Harris. “With this milestone, we are ready to continue flight testing and deliver systems in late 2025 as Viper Shield is the only advanced EW solution that is funded and in active production for international F-16 partners.” 

Viper Shield is a low-risk, low-cost system that counters modern radar threats with immediate detection and advanced jamming responses to disrupt the adversary’s kill chain. Unlike other EW system providers, Viper Shield will integrate across all F-16 Blocks with minimal modifications to the aircraft, and it is fully configurable with both the current Mission Modular Computer and the Next Generation Mission Computer.   

About L3Harris Technologies

L3Harris Technologies is the Trusted Disruptor in the defense industry. With customers’ mission-critical needs always in mind, our employees deliver end-to-end technology solutions connecting the space, air, land, sea and cyber domains in the interest of national security. Visit L3Harris.com for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements 

This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current expectations, assumptions and estimates of future performance and economic conditions. Such statements are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The company cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results and future trends to differ materially from those matters expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. Statements about system capabilities and deliveries are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties. L3Harris disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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US Air Force Completes First Flight of L3Harris Viper Shield Electronic Warfare System

Viper Shield™ AN/ALQ-254(V)1 All-digital Electronic Warfare Suite | L3Harris® Fast. Forward.

L3Harris Viper Shield™ AN/ALQ-254(V)1 All-digital Electronic Warfare Suite