U.S. Government Awards Option for ViaSat to Provide Global In-flight Connectivity Services on U.S. Government Senior Leader Aircraft

July 31, 2017

The United States Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) extended its contract with ViaSat Inc. to continue to provide senior leaders and their support staff with in-flight broadband and connectivity services on senior leader aircraft.

As outlined in the original DISA contract, there are two options for extension, and the first was executed on June 1, 2017. The contract extension is part of a non-competitive firm-fixed price contract, which focuses on ViaSat providing high-quality broadband and connectivity services, via its global Ku- and Ka-band communications satellite network, to senior leader and VIP aircraft when in-flight.

"Our DISA award extension validates the maturity and performance of our certified, field-proven, hybrid Ku-/Ka-band networked satellite system," said Ken Peterman, president, Government Systems, ViaSat. "We have continued to successfully pass critical testing milestones and meet key deliverables, as stated in our agreement with DISA, which led to this extension. We anticipate DISA will execute the next option based on our ability to meet in-flight connectivity and exceed cybersecurity expectations."

The ViaSat satellite system uses advanced hybrid terminal technology to enable automatic and rapid in-flight network switching across Ku- and Ka-band satellite networks for optimized global roaming connectivity – which is unique to ViaSat's solution, and not offered by any other service provider today.

The ViaSat in-flight internet service has been recognized industry-wide for delivering high-quality, reliable and fast in-flight internet service[1]. As noted by ViaSat, the service enables "an Office in the Sky" experience - with the ability to use the in-flight broadband connection to stream full-motion high-definition video for en-route Command and Control (C2) missions; maintain two-way communications through HD video conference calling or voice over internet protocol calls; access real-time intelligence and other location-based, live-sensor data for critical decision-making and more.