Royal Canadian Navy Deploys ViaSat's End-to-End Link 16 Communications System on its Halifax-Class Frigates

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Sep 05, 2017, 07:00 ET

Fleet-wide Link 16 Multilink Upgrade to Provide the Royal Canadian Navy with Capabilities to Thwart Threats at Sea

HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Sept. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- (DEFSEC Atlantic –ViaSat Booth #913) -- ViaSat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global broadband services and technology company, today announced it has delivered an end-to-end Link 16 communications system to the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) for its Halifax-class frigates. This state-of-the-art upgrade will enable the RCN to more effectively communicate with U.S., NATO and other Allied forces through Link 16 interoperability, and will serve as a bridge to the future fleet communications.

Current and evolving maritime threats are faster, stealthier, more maneuverable and have shifted from the open ocean to the near-shore environment. Sensors and weapons systems are newly challenged as they move closer to shore due to higher maritime traffic density and an increased proximity to coastal threats. To combat potential attacks at sea, the RCN executed a fleet-wide Halifax-class frigate communications upgrade using the Link 16 waveform.

ViaSat's end-to-end Link 16 system supports a Canadian multilink capability using integrated shipboard racks outfitted with critical support equipment required to fully operate the Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Low Volume Terminal (LVT) (4) technology. The MIDS LVT (4) terminal is an advanced, anti-jam data and voice communications system. The complete Link 16 system also includes specialized cabling to interface with Link 22 capabilities for future support and ViaSat's software diagnostic tools for terminal and network analytics.

"The Halifax-class frigates are the backbone of the Royal Canadian Navy and require a communications infrastructure that will enable sailors to more effectively communicate worldwide today and into the future," said Ken Peterman, president, Government Systems, ViaSat. "As the threat landscape for these frigates evolve, so must the technology platforms that support them. This was a highly-competitive selection process; winning this award showcases how ViaSat is well-positioned to provide the Canadian Armed Forces with end-to-end, integrated capabilities for secure, interoperable communications across any mission, platform or network."

ViaSat has steadily grown its defence presence in Canada with its Link 16 military communication radios—MIDS-LVT, Small Tactical Terminals, and other next-generation products—currently deployed across the Canadian Department of National Defence. The Company has partnered with MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates (MDA) to build a Canadian repair, maintenance and upgrade facility for its Link 16 terminals, providing an in-country product resource to shorten repair, upgrade cycles, and turnaround times as well as reduce overall maintenance costs to ViaSat defence customers.

About ViaSat
ViaSat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) keeps the world connected. As a global broadband services and technology company, ViaSat ensures consumers, businesses, governments and military personnel have communications access - anywhere - whether on the ground or in-flight. The Company's innovations in designing highest-capacity satellites and secure ground infrastructure and terminal technologies coupled with its international network of managed Wi-Fi hotspots enable ViaSat to deliver a best available network that extends the reach and accessibility of broadband internet service, globally. For more information visit ViaSat at: www.viasat.com, or follow the Company on social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

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 statements about the Link 16 and MIDS LVT (4) interoperability and bridge to the future fleet communications, deployment timeframe, number and value of terminals to be produced, ability to thwart threats at sea, cost savings to the Canadian Department of National Defence and strategy for future terminals. Readers are cautioned that actual results could 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 government and defense sectors 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.

Copyright © 2017 ViaSat, Inc. All rights reserved. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. ViaSat is a registered trademark of ViaSat, Inc.

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