Here’s who will put electronics aboard Poland’s F-16V fleet

WARSAW — New details have emerged about what equipment will go aboard Poland’s F-16 Viper upgrades, with L3Harris Technologies, RTX and Israeli firm Elbit all taking a role in modernizing the Lockheed Martin-made jets.

Earlier this month, the Polish Ministry of National Defence finalized a Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) with the US government to upgrade its fleet of 48 F-16 Block 52+ multi-role combat aircraft to the advanced F-16 Viper configuration, also known as the F-16V.

Lockheed Martin will serve as the primary contractor for the modernization effort, valued at approximately $3.8 billion, and will partner with local supplier Military Aviation Works No. 2 in Bydgoszcz to perform the upgrade work in-country.

L3Harris today announced its electronic warfare Viper Shield system has been selected by Warsaw. The system, which is also used by the US government on its F-16 Block 52+ configuration, will equip Poland with the same advanced EW features available to other international allies operating the new F-16 Block 70 variant.

According to the company’s website, “its advanced digital radar warning receiver technology integrates seamlessly with the aircraft’s new APG-83 active electronically scanned array radar [also included in Polish program] to deliver greater situational awareness and the digital radio frequency memory-based jamming system provides enhanced capability against advanced threats.”

“We are honored Poland selected us to upgrade their F-16V multirole fighters,” said Ed Zoiss, L3Harris’ president of space and airborne systems. “Viper Shield is in production and will enable pilots to identify, locate and counter rapidly evolving threats faster with enhanced success.”

Polish F-16Vs will also receive the Elbit PAWS-2, a field-proven infrared passive airborne warning system capable of detecting a wide range of threats, including surface-to-air missiles, air-to-air missiles, and MANPADS. The company had planned to debut its newest version, the PAWS-2 High Resolution (HR), this year at the Paris Air Show, but organizers for the event erected barricades around the booths of Israeli defense firms, effectively shutting them off from the conference.

Another element of the modernization are the RTX-built Modular Mission Computer (MMC) 7000AH and MS-110 multispectral imagery reconnaissance pod. The MS-110 will replace the DB-110 reconnaissance pods currently in Polish service, and will be compatible with both the modernized F-16 and the current F-16 OFP 6.5 version.

In addition, Lockheed will provide an upgraded AN/AAQ-33 Sniper ATP to Digital Video Interface standard, allowing the F-16 fleet to the Sniper ATP DVI with Two-Way Data Link capability. The Sniper and DB-110 pods both got a workout for Poland’s fleet between June 20216 and June 2018, when four Polish jets flew over 4,100 hours in Kuwait as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.

Polish Vipers will also feature a new-generation ejection seat, the Martin-Baker US18E, based on the US16E that is installed in the Lockheed Martin F-35 aircraft, with wider nude weight range from 103lbs to 245lbs.

According to a Lockheed Martin press release, Polish F-16 modernization includes “design modifications that will extend the aircraft’s service life to 12,000 flight hours.” But physically, according to the contract, only the Canopy Sill Longeron stringers (supporting the canopy when closed) on 36 single-seat F-16C aircraft are being replaced, in connection with the analysis of the airframe structure data from the Aircraft Structural Integrity Program. That’s because a wider scope of Service Life Extension Program is not necessary, as other elements of the Polish F-16s’ airframe structure are judged to be in good condition.