ViaSat to keep Air Force One connected
ViaSat has been selected to provide global broadband and communication services to US military aircraft including Air Force One, the aircraft used to transport the US President. The $73 million award was announced by ViaSat on 27 July.
Aircraft to be supported under the contract include the VC-25s, C-17s, C-32s, C-37s and C-40s used to transport the president and other senior VIPs. ViaSat will provide services to enable ‘a situation room in the sky’ – including the ability to stream full-motion high-definition video via the in-flight broadband connection for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, en-route command and control and search and rescue missions.
Two-way communications are possible via HD video conference calling or voice over internet protocol calls; real-time intelligence and other location-based, live-sensor data can be accessed for critical decision-making.
ViaSat’s solution is based on a certified, hybrid Ku-/Ka-band system, which keeps aircraft connected to the best available satellite network. The hybrid terminal and radome enables automatic in-flight network switching across Ku- and Ka-band satellite networks for an advanced global roaming capability.
Ken Peterman, senior vice president and general manager, government systems division, ViaSat, said: ‘ViaSat's high-capacity global in-flight internet service ensures executive and government leaders and their teams can stay connected, informed and productive, maximising the effectiveness of time in-flight with ‘situation room and command centre’ connectivity in the sky.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![EID to unveil new vehicle communication system at DSEI]()
EID to unveil new vehicle communication system at DSEI
The Portuguese company’s naval communications system is in service across more than a dozen countries. It has turned to its home nation for support in developing a new vehicle based C2 system.
-
![Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker]()
Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker
The Vision4ce Deep Embedded Feature Tracking (DEFT) technology software is designed to process video and images by blending traditional computer vision with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to present actionable information from complex environments.
-
![Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend]()
Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend
Persistent Systems has been cleared by National Security Agency (NSA) to transmit sensitive data on commercial networks. The devices are added to the NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) component list which also includes other companies’ products providing the same security.
-
![UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release]()
UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release
The release of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has been long promised as mid-year. It is possible it could be as early as 2 June although the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to play its cards close to its chest.
-
![Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)]()
Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)
Intelsat outlines how its multi-orbit SATCOM architecture is enhancing connectivity and resilience for special operations forces operating in degraded and contested environments.
-
![US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts]()
US Space Force’s next-generation missile warning system moves forward with $500 million in new contracts
Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) satellites are intended to provide early warning of missile launches from any location worldwide and new ground stations will result in expanded coverage of critical missile warning.
