ViaSat received a $33 million non-competitive, firm-fixed-price contract from the U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) to provide senior leaders and their support staff with global in-flight broadband and communications services. The award covers support for VC-25s, C-17s, C-32s, C-37s, C-40s and the complete range of VIP and special air mission aircraft.
According to a ViaSat press release, their satellite internet service will provide "a situation room in the sky" experience, including full motion, high definition video; two-way communications using HD video conference calling or voice over internet protocol (VoIP); access to real-time intelligence and location based, live sensor data. ViaSat's in-flight system accesses both Ku- and Ka-Band satellites. To maintain global coverage, the hybrid terminal and radome enable automatic switching across Ku- and Ka-Band satellite networks depending upon aircraft location.
Ken Peterman, senior vice president and general manager of ViaSat's Government Systems Division said, "We are proud to be delivering remarkably fast data speeds and an abundance of capacity to support the in-flight communications needs of our government's senior leadership on Air Force One and other special air mission aircraft."
