ViaSat Upgrades Airborne ISR Network Return Link to 1 Mbps

CARLSBAD, Calif., June 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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.

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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.

For additional information, contact Larry Taylor, ViaSat Government Satcom Systems, at 760-476-2432 or email [email protected].

About ViaSat (www.viasat.com)

ViaSat produces innovative satellite and other digital communication products that enable fast, secure, and efficient communications to virtually any location. The company provides networking products and managed network services for enterprise IP applications; is a key supplier of network-centric military communications and encryption technologies and products to the U.S. government; is the primary technology partner for gateway and customer premises equipment for consumer and mobile satellite broadband services; and owns WildBlue, the premier Ka-band satellite broadband service provider. ViaSat also offers design capabilities and a number of complementary products including monolithic microwave integrated circuits and modules, DVB-S2 satellite communication components, video data link systems, data acceleration and compression, and mobile satellite antenna systems. ViaSat is based in Carlsbad, CA, has major locations in Duluth, GA, Germantown, MD (Comsat Laboratories), and Greenwood Village, CO (WildBlue), along with additional field offices and service centers worldwide.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements that refer to increasing airborne broadband data rates on the ViaSat mobile broadband network. ViaSat wishes to caution you that there are some factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: contractual problems, product defects, manufacturing issues or delays, regulatory issues, technologies not being developed according to anticipated schedules, or that do not perform according to expectations; and increased competition and other factors affecting the telecommunications industry generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in ViaSat's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including ViaSat's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. ViaSat undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

ArcLight is a registered trademark of ViaSat Inc.

Comsat Labs and Comsat Laboratories are tradenames of ViaSat, Inc. Neither Comsat Labs nor Comsat Laboratories is affiliated with COMSAT Corporation. "Comsat" is a registered trademark of COMSAT Corporation. All additional products are trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE ViaSat