Northop Grumman tests Viper AN/ALQ-257 electronic warfare system for F-16 fighters on US Air Force emulator

The Viper AN/ALQ-257 electronic warfare system (IVEWS) has undergone simulation testing. Northrop Grumman is using a U.S. Air Force emulator for the tests.

Here's What We Know

The Viper AN/ALQ-257 (IVEWS) is intended to be installed on F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters that will be upgraded to Block 70/72 (Viper). The first aircraft has arrived at Edwards Air Force Base, where it will undergo final testing. Northrop Grumman said the electronic warfare system was able to exceed benchmarks during the tests.

According to the US defence contractor, the Viper AN/ALQ-257 (IVEWS) will enable F-16V aircraft to more effectively counter advanced threats as well as defeat new enemy sensors and weapons. It does this using an open systems architecture that has high throughput.

According to Northrop Grumman, the tests took place at the US Air Force Laboratory. The emulator allows testing of electronic warfare technology in a realistic environment. This was the first test here for the Viper AN/ALQ-257 (IVEWS).

Northrop Grumman began working on the project in 2019. In 2021, the company successfully tested interoperability between the Viper AN/ALQ-257 (IVEWS) and the AN/APG-83 SABR radars.

Source: Defense News