The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) continues to modernize its combat aircraft fleet in order to maintain operational superiority in an increasingly complex electromagnetic battlespace. One of the systems recently presented to the HAF leadership is the AN/ALQ-257 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS) developed by Northrop Grumman, a next-generation electronic warfare system designed specifically for the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon.

On 5 March 2026, representatives of Northrop Grumman held a meeting with officials from the Hellenic Air Force General Staff (ΓΕΑ) in Athens, where they presented the capabilities of the IVEWS ALQ-257 electronic warfare suite along with the Litening targeting pod. The briefing focused on the system’s potential to enhance the survivability and operational effectiveness of the HAF’s F-16 fleet in highly contested environments.

The AN/ALQ-257 IVEWS is a fully digital electronic warfare suite designed to detect, identify and counter advanced radio-frequency (RF) threats, including modern radar systems used by air-defense networks and surface-to-air missiles. The system employs an ultra-wideband architecture capable of monitoring a wide range of frequencies, including millimeter-wave bands used by next-generation radar systems.

One of the most significant features of IVEWS is its 360-degree threat detection capability, which provides pilots with comprehensive situational awareness of the electromagnetic environment. The system can identify hostile emitters, determine their location and automatically deploy countermeasures to disrupt or deceive enemy radars.

The suite integrates digital receivers, advanced signal processing and high-power jamming capabilities into a single system. This allows the aircraft to react quickly to emerging threats while minimizing pilot workload during complex missions.

IVEWS has been designed to operate seamlessly with modern avionics systems installed on upgraded F-16 aircraft. In particular, it is digitally interoperable with the AN/APG-83 SABR AESA radar, also developed by Northrop Grumman and already selected for several F-16 modernization programs worldwide.

Through pulse-to-pulse communication between the radar and the electronic warfare suite, both systems can operate simultaneously without degrading each other’s performance. This enables F-16 pilots to conduct targeting, surveillance and electronic warfare tasks at the same time, significantly improving combat effectiveness.

The system has already undergone extensive evaluation by the United States Air Force. Operational assessment flight testing was conducted on F-16 Block 50 aircraft at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida και Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, where the system was exposed to realistic and complex RF threat environments.

During these trials, IVEWS demonstrated the ability to detect and counter a wide range of radar-guided threats while maintaining stable performance across numerous operational scenarios, including air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.

For the Hellenic Air Force, the integration of the IVEWS ALQ-257 could significantly enhance the survivability of its F-16 fleet, particularly in operations involving advanced air-defense systems and electronic warfare threats. As Greece continues upgrading a large portion of its F-16 aircraft to the F-16V Viper configuration, the addition of a modern electronic warfare suite could provide an additional layer of protection and tactical advantage.

By combining advanced radar capabilities with next-generation electronic warfare systems, the HAF could further strengthen the operational relevance of its fourth-generation fighter aircraft well into the future.

Overall, the presentation of IVEWS to the Hellenic Air Force reflects ongoing efforts to explore advanced technologies capable of enhancing the defensive and offensive capabilities of Greece’s air power in an evolving threat environment.