USAF forges ahead on F-16 EW, avionics upgrades

The US Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman an $87.4 million low-rate initial production contract for the Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite on F-16 Block 50 aircraft. The September 24 award follows testing of two systems across more than 500 flight hours and 350 sorties, with first production deliveries expected in the first quarter of fiscal 2028. IVEWS upgrades the fighter’s ability to detect and counter electronic threats as the fleet remains in service. Air Force planning identifies 206 systems for Block 50 and 52 aircraft, although that wider objective exceeds the initial production award.