Northrop Grumman has effectively trialed a novel electronic warfare mechanism for the F-16 jet fighter. The firm announced that the enhancements, nicknamed the AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite, or IVEWS, outperformed the standards established in the simulation.
This fresh electronic warfare mechanism enables F-16 fighters to resist threats deploying contemporary radio frequencies. The firm stated that IVEWS possesses more productive broadband power amplifiers and responsive counteractions, permitting the plane to react more quickly, span prolonged frequencies, and identify threats in all directions.
IVEWS employs modular, open system design principles, the firm supplemented. “This successful assessment under particularly demanding circumstances is a significant milestone on the road to deploying the suite,” commented Northrop Grumman. EW mechanism for F-16 fighter trials demonstrate success.
During the trial, simulated air defense radar impulses were directly inserted into IVEWS to verify the suite’s capability to discern and counteract sophisticated threats. The trials, which have now been concluded, were conducted in a validated emulator that permits electronic warfare technology to be examined under realistic conditions, Northrop declared.
Take note that L3Harris Technologies is also making progress in development for the F-16 Block 70/72 Viper Shield electronic warfare system.