Poland has chosen L3Harris Technologies’ AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield electronic warfare suite as part of its F-16 Viper Block 70 upgrade program. The decision makes Poland the seventh country to adopt the system, which will be integrated into the nation’s fleet of 48 F-16 Block 52 fighters upgraded to the Block 70 configuration. Competing for the program, Northrop Grumman offered its AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS), a system Turkey had selected for its own modernization efforts last year.
Developed in partnership with Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force, Viper Shield is designed to provide advanced survivability by creating a virtual electronic shield around the aircraft. The system integrates a digital radar warning receiver with a digital radio frequency memory-based jamming unit, mounted internally for maximum effectiveness. It also seamlessly connects with the APG-83 AESA radar, enhancing situational awareness and improving pilot response against evolving threats.
The EW suite features a new pilot-vehicle interface for more intuitive operation and a modular architecture that supports future upgrades. Available both as an internal system and as an external pod, Viper Shield enables pilots to execute complex missions with greater safety and resilience in contested environments.
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