Northrop Grumman's IVEWS Successfully Completes Testing on F-16 Jets Moving Toward Flight Integration.

Northrop Grumman Corporation’s AN/ALQ-257 Viper Integrated Electronic Warfare System (IVEWS) has reached a key milestone by completing tests at the U.S. Air Force's Joint Preflight Integration of Munitions and Electronic Sensors (J-PRIMES) facility. This marks significant progress in the development of advanced electronic warfare capabilities for F-16 fighter jets.
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The AN/ALQ-257 IVEWS uses an ultra-wideband architecture designed to detect, identify, and counter a wide range of advanced radio frequency threats, including those based on millimeter-wave systems(Picture source: US DoD)

The rigorous tests, conducted in J-PRIMES’ anechoic chamber, subjected IVEWS to precise simulations of complex radio frequency spectrum threats. The system successfully demonstrated its ability to detect, identify, and counter these threats while maintaining compatibility with other systems onboard the F-16s. The successful completion of this test phase now paves the way for IVEWS flight testing on F-16 aircraft, accelerating its integration into operational environments.

The F-16 Fighting Falcon, originally developed by General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin), entered production in 1976 and was introduced into the U.S. Air Force in 1978. Since its creation, more than 4,600 F-16s have been produced, making it one of the most widely used multirole fighter aircraft in the world. It has been acquired by over 25 countries, with a significant number still in service, including around 1,000 in the U.S. Air Force. The F-16 is renowned for its versatility in air-to-air combat, air-to-ground strikes, and electronic warfare, and remains a major asset in modern air forces worldwide.

Powered by a single engine, the F-16 features advanced avionics, a frameless canopy for improved visibility, and fly-by-wire controls. It can reach speeds of over Mach 2 (approximately 2,400 km/h) and has a combat range of 547 kilometers. Equipped with various armaments, including guided missiles, bombs, and a 20mm M61 Vulcan cannon, the F-16 offers significant capabilities in both air superiority and ground attack roles, making it a flexible and durable platform for modern military operations.

According to Colonel Michael Rigoni, Director of F-16 International Electronic Warfare Systems for the U.S. Air Force, this step concludes three years of system-level testing, involving multiple Integration Demonstration and Applications Lab (IDAL) events, flight demonstrations during exercises such as NORTHERN LIGHTNING 2021, and closed-loop testing. The successful evaluation of IVEWS represents a key advancement for U.S. and international F-16 fleets.

The AN/ALQ-257 IVEWS uses an ultra-wideband architecture designed to detect, identify, and counter a wide range of advanced radio frequency threats, including those based on millimeter-wave systems. This system enhances the survivability of F-16s, particularly in congested and contested environments, where electronic warfare capabilities are critical to mission success.

James Conroy, Vice President of Navigation, Targeting, and Survivability at Northrop Grumman, highlighted the importance of this achievement, stating that the completion of J-PRIMES testing demonstrates the maturity of IVEWS and its readiness for further development. The system’s architecture is based on modular and open design principles, ensuring compatibility with other advanced systems, such as Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars.

Selected in 2019 as part of the U.S. Air Force's electronic warfare program for the F-16, the AN/ALQ-257 IVEWS is now moving closer to full operational deployment, following its upcoming flight tests. Designed to provide extensive frequency and spatial coverage, this system represents a crucial advancement in the defense sector, enhancing the survivability and operational readiness of F-16s in modern combat scenarios.

With Northrop Grumman’s ongoing commitment to aerospace and defense technologies, IVEWS is expected to become a key component of the U.S. Air Force fleet and those of allied nations, delivering critical capabilities for years to come.