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First flight for F-16 with Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite
An F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron recently flew the first Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) flight at Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Fla.
As told by 1st Lt. Rebecca Abordo, 53rd Wing Public Affairs, in the article 85th TES flies new F-16 electronic warfare suite, IVEWS is a self-protecting electronic warfare (EW) system on the F-16 that provides digital radar warnings and active jamming capability to detect, identify, locate, and counter potential threats.
Lt. Col. Stephen Graham, F-16 Electronic Warfare Test Director, piloted the inaugural flight. He emphasized the system’s integration with the F-16, noting that it elevates the aircraft to a “fourth generation plus” status, enabling it to effectively counter modern threats.
“The success of this flight is a testament to the entire team working on this program,” Graham said. “Integrating a system at this level typically takes a long time, but thanks to the incredible people involved, we achieved this success quickly.”
Graham elaborated on the collaborative nature of the program, which involved a diverse group of engineers, pilots, and technicians from various defense contractors.
“This was a collaborative effort between the government, contractors, and major Air Force commands,” said Graham. “Everyone has put in significant effort to make this program the best it can be.”
Lt. Col. Joseph Gagnon, 85th TES commander, highlighted the broader implications of the IVEWS program, emphasizing its versatility.
“This technology can be implemented on almost any airframe,” he said. “We are creating a force multiplier not just for the F-16, but for any platform.”
F-16 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite
The AN/ALQ-257 IVEWS is designed by Northrop Grumman to give F-16 electronic warfare (EW) capabilities on a par with fifth-generation aircraft, significantly enhancing survivability for operations in contested and congested electromagnetic spectrum environments.
Northrop Grumman’s ultra-wideband suite can detect, identify and counter advanced radio frequency threats, including millimeter wave systems.
The only electronic warfare Program of Record for the US Air Force F-16 fleet, IVEWS is also available for export.
The design of IVEWS incorporates Northrop Grumman’s ultrawideband electronic warfare system architecture. This architecture, shared with other Northrop Grumman electronic warfare systems, offers cost advantages, shorter upgrade cycles and logistical efficiencies not possible with other systems.
IVEWS includes a next-generation digital radar warning receiver, an advanced processor designed specifically for EW applications, and high-powered transmitters with antennas optimized for the size, weight, and power requirements of the F-16.
AN/APG-83 SABR AESA radar
IVEWS’s pulse-to-pulse interoperability with the Viper’s advanced AN/APG-83 SABR AESA radar provides capability without compromise — no filtering, no blackouts, and no diminished protection or targeting capability. The result is advanced survivability without compromising the Viper’s lethal bite.
Flying in Exercise Northern Lightning, IVEWS was put to the test in a dense and demanding electromagnetic spectrum environment featuring multiple advanced ground emitters and more than 20 airborne radars. Hitting more than 170 test points, IVEWS and SABR didn’t miss a beat — operating seamlessly together throughout the exercise.
Radio frequency threats don’t care whose flag you’re flying under. IVEWS is the electronic warfare suite for the USAF F-16 fleet, but operators of the Viper worldwide face the same advanced threats. IVEWS is available for export to international partners, bringing commonality and advanced survivability to the global fleet.
The advanced protections built into IVEWS are not limited to fighter aircraft. Northrop Grumman has products with its electronic warfare architecture that makes it possible for aircraft of all sizes, from unmanned aircraft up to airlifters, to execute missions safely in contested spectrum environments.
85th Test and Evaluation Squadron
The 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron is part of the 53d Wing at Eglin AFB, Florida. is responsible for conducting operational test and evaluation, tactics development, and programs for F-15C, F-15E, and F-16CM aircraft.
Utilizing specially instrumented aircraft, the 85th tests and evaluates current and future weapons, associated electronic warfare subsystems, the newest air-to ground munitions, air-to-air missiles, electronic warfare systems, and associated subcomponents and avionics.
It provides operational fighter expertise to US Air Force Headquarters, DoD agencies, and the aerospace industry in the development of future aircraft and employment techniques and concepts.
The 85th’s core competencies are air-to-air missile employment and tactics, suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses and lethal precision engagement.
Photo credit: 1st Lt. Rebecca Abordo / U.S. Air Force
