L3Harris Builds First Podded Viper Shield for F-16

L3Harris Technologies announced on Sept. 3, 2026 that it has completed assembly of its first podded Viper Shield electronic warfare system using production-standard hardware. The podded configuration was first unveiled in 2025. It lets the system be carried externally on earlier F-16 variants without the same level of internal integration required for new-build Block 70/72 aircraft.

The company has also finished production of the first 35 Viper Shield systems and is moving toward full-rate production for 233 units currently on order from eight allied nations.

Developed by L3Harris with Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force, Viper Shield detects, identifies and counters electronic threats. It can be installed internally on new F-16 Block 70/72 jets or carried as an external pod. L3Harris says the pod's shape resembles the Northrop Grumman AN/ALQ-131(V) electronic countermeasure pod already used on the F-16 fleet and other aircraft.