Northrop Grumman Wins $37 Million Air Force Contract Change for F-16 IVEWS Electronic Warfare Suite

Northrop Grumman has received a $36,987,335 Air Force contract modification for the F-16 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (IVEWS), the AN/ALQ-257 self-protection system being fitted to the Fighting Falcon fleet. The award appeared in the Pentagon’s contract notice for 28 September 2026 and runs through 31 December 2029.

The notice lists the work as “Electronic Warfare Radio Frequency Compatibility, Big Iron effort” and gives the contracting activity as the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. It says nothing more about what the money buys, so the details below on the system come from Northrop Grumman and press reports.

Northrop Grumman F-16 IVEWS Contract at a Glance

The modification, numbered P00187, adds to an older Air Force contract, FA8615-17-C-6047. The notice says $16,183,490 of fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation money is committed at award, which is a little under half the face value. Work is set for Rolling Meadows, Illinois (the notice text renders the city as “Meadows, Illinois” in the company line, but the work location is given as Rolling Meadows).

What Is the F-16 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite?

IVEWS, designated AN/ALQ-257, is an ultra-wideband electronic warfare system that combines a digital radar warning receiver, a dedicated processor and high-power transmitters. Northrop Grumman says it detects and counters radio-frequency threats through 360 degrees and works pulse to pulse with the F-16’s AN/APG-83 SABR radar, so neither system has to be filtered or blanked for the other.

Air & Space Forces Magazine reports it can also geolocate a threat radar from a single aircraft while jamming, where older systems needed several aircraft and a silent jammer. A 2024 report from the same outlet says the suite is mounted internally and replaces the centerline AN/ALQ-131 pod, which frees a weapons or fuel station.

What Does the Big Iron Effort Mean for IVEWS?

“Big Iron” is the Air Force software compliance standard for its F-16s. Under it, according to Air & Space Forces Magazine, teams can update IVEWS software files quickly without hardware changes or grounding aircraft for days or weeks. Radio frequency compatibility work is the job of making the suite coexist with the jet’s other emitters and avionics.

Analysis: the modification reads as integration and compatibility work on the existing development contract, not a production order. The notice does not say so directly, and it does not tie the award to the separate $87.4 million low-rate production modification reported on 25 September, so readers should not add the two together.

How Far Along Is the IVEWS Programme?

Northrop puts flight testing at more than 500 hours over 300 sorties, and Air & Space Forces gives 550 hours. The company also says it has seen better than 99 percent availability in tests.

How Many F-16s Will Get IVEWS?

Numbers differ by source. JED reported that the fiscal 2027 request seeks $438 million for 48 sets, and that the programme of record runs through fiscal 2031 for 206 F-16C Block 40/42 and 50/52 aircraft plus four development installs. Air & Space Forces reports that the first production batch was to outfit 72 Block 50 jets, with full-rate production for a 450-aircraft fleet to follow, citing a Northrop executive in 2025.

Northrop says more than 2,500 F-16s serve in over 20 countries. A 2024 report said Turkey signed a letter of agreement selecting IVEWS for its Block 70 jets.

Northrop Grumman Company Profile

Northrop Grumman IVEWS Contract FAQ

How much is the Northrop Grumman IVEWS modification worth?

$36,987,335, with $16,183,490 obligated at award, according to the 28 September 2026 notice.

What is AN/ALQ-257 IVEWS?

An ultra-wideband electronic warfare suite for the F-16 that provides radar warning and active jamming, per Northrop Grumman.

When will the work finish?

The notice gives 31 December 2029 as the expected completion date.

Is this a production contract?

The notice does not say. It describes radio frequency compatibility and Big Iron work, and production funding was reported separately.

Did Northrop win other awards that day?

Yes, including $22.3 million for F-35 radar sustainment and a $19.8 million Navy test equipment job order.