ViaSat Secures Major U.S. Government Contract for the Protected Tactical Service Field Demonstration Award
New Contract Leverages ViaSat's Vertically Integrated Structure; Providing an Anti-Jam Modem with Embedded Cryptography For Use Across Multiple Military Service Branches
Sep 19, 2016, 08:00 ET
CARLSBAD, Calif., Sept. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq: VSAT), a global broadband services and technology company, today announced it was awarded a $33,291,975.00 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the Protected Tactical Service Field Demonstration (PTSFD), which will provide wideband anti-jam communications to tactical users across both government and commercial satellites. This program will include the development of a Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW) modem as well as an embedded cryptographic unit. The Protected Tactical System capability ensures U.S. military forces can stay connected, informed and productive in a jammed operational environment.
The PTSFD program will demonstrate the ability to provide wideband anti-jam communications to tactical users using the Wideband Global Satellite Communications (SATCOM) constellation and commercial SATCOM. The program enables the U.S. government to move more rapidly by taking advantage of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) systems with limited development. The program also allows government users to take advantage of the commercial satellite fleet while providing superior protected communications. This will allow for a higher degree of operational flexibility and access to significantly more bandwidth than is possible with the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) constellation alone.
"ViaSat's history in technology innovation and proven performance in advanced waveform development, cyber security and satellite communications will enable the U.S. government to take a low risk, yet highly innovative approach to PTSFD," said Ken Peterman, senior vice president and general manager, Government Systems Division, ViaSat. "This PTW modem, coupled with our ViaSat-3 ultra-high capacity class of satellites, uniquely positions ViaSat to provide global, interoperable communications to deployed warfighters with the most assured, resilient and fastest satellite service available. We believe our service is orders of magnitude better than any other satellite service available today."
Award Details
ViaSat was awarded a $33,291,975 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for protected tactical service PTSFD. Work will be performed at Carlsbad, California, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2020. This award is the result of a competitive acquisition and five offers were received. Fiscal 2016 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $11,000,000 are being obligated at the time of award. The Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California, is the contracting activity (FA8808-16-C-0005).
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 Statement
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 development and timing of the PTSFD program, the ability to provide wideband anti-jam communications, allowing for a higher degree of operational flexibility and access to significantly more bandwidth, providing global, interoperable communications to deployed warfighters with the most assured, resilient and fastest satellite service available and ViaSat's vertical integration approach. 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 sector. Additional factors include: the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the ViaSat-1, ViaSat-2 and ViaSat-3 class satellites and any future satellite we may construct or acquire; unexpected expenses or delays related to satellite projects, the ability to successfully implement ViaSat's business plan for broadband services on the anticipated timeline or at all; risks associated with the construction, launch and operation of satellites, including the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or degradation in satellite performance; ability to successfully develop, introduce and sell new technologies, products and services; audits by the U.S. government; changes in the global business environment and economic conditions; reduced demand for products and services as a result of continued constraints on capital spending by customers; changes in relationships with, or the financial condition of, key customers or suppliers; reliance on a limited number of third parties to manufacture and supply ViaSat's products; increased competition; introduction of new technologies and other factors affecting the communications and defense industries generally; the effect of adverse regulatory changes on ViaSat's ability to sell products and services; ViaSat's level of indebtedness and ability to comply with applicable debt covenants; ViaSat's involvement in litigation, including intellectual property claims and litigation to protect proprietary technology; ViaSat's dependence on a limited number of key employees. 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 © 2016 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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