CLIFTON, N.J., Sept. 3, 2026 — L3Harris Technologies (NYSE: LHX) has successfully completed the production of the inaugural 35 Viper Shield electronic warfare and countermeasure systems destined for the global F-16 fleet.
The Viper Shield system is designed to detect, identify, and counteract electronic threats by providing a digital armor shield around the aircraft. This advanced technology can function as an integrated internal system or be mounted as an external pod, with L3Harris also marking the assembly of its first pod utilizing these production systems.
Notably, Viper Shield is the only electronic warfare system for the F-16 currently in production, with confirmed orders from eight allied nations. L3Harris is gearing up for full-rate production of the 233 systems already on order. Additional nations selecting the Viper Shield will benefit from an active production line, supported by quality assurance and a supply chain robust enough for large-scale manufacturing efforts.
“The $1 billion shared investment from countries operating F-16s indicates that the U.S. Air Force and National Guard could strategically benefit by joining the program,” stated Chris Aebli, President of Communications & Spectrum Dominance at L3Harris. “The foreign investment is facilitating the development, lab testing, flight testing, and current production of Viper Shield systems, presenting a significant savings opportunity for the United States to sidestep upfront costs.”
The Viper Shield is specifically designed for the Block 70/72 variants of the F-16 and is fully interoperable with the advanced APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array radar, while remaining compatible with all previous F-16 variants. Its all-digital, software-defined architecture incorporates commercial-off-the-shelf technology, resulting in a compact form factor, reduced weight, and facilitating easier upgrades in the future.
About L3Harris Technologies
L3Harris is recognized as a Trusted Disruptor in defense technology. By focusing on customers’ mission-critical needs, the company’s workforce delivers end-to-end technology solutions that connect the space, air, land, sea, and cyber domains in the interests of national security. For further information, visit L3Harris.com.
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Source: L3Harris (2026-09-03)
