ViaSat… Speedy Sky Support (MILSATCOM)

[SatNews] ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq:VSAT) has upgraded transmission rates for its airborne broadband network to improve performance in the network being used by nearly 100 U.S. airborne military satcom systems. Customers include Special Operations Forces (SOF) C-130s and a variety of other aircraft in the Middle East.

Operators can now send high-resolution video and broadband data off the aircraft at speeds up to 1 megabit per second. The higher speed enables intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions to supply full motion video and other mission capabilities that improve the accuracy of ISR, at greater distances from locations being observed. The 1 Mbps network upgrade is part of an ongoing roadmap for increasing airborne broadband data rates on the ViaSat mobile broadband network, and is implemented by loading new software onto installed terminals. The communications on-the-move (COTM) terminals gain the advantages of the increased speed while continuing to operate using lightweight, 12-inch VR-12 airborne antennas. The mobile satellite network enables simultaneous operation of multiple aircraft at multiple data rates, which maximizes network capacity over the theater of operations.

The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) was the first military organization to use the high-speed Ku-band network on its C-130 aircraft. The small C-130 terminal attaches to the aircraft emergency escape hatch, so that operators can configure an aircraft for specific missions within a few minutes, without any permanent aircraft alterations. Now a number of aircraft are tapping into the network. ViaSat mobile broadband installations now total over 800 systems. Applications include a mix of systems operating on integrated networks for general aviation, COTM, maritime, and high-speed rail. The terminals use ViaSat patented ArcLight® technology, which enables a very small antenna to deliver improved speed and performance compared to other mobile satellite alternatives.