Viasat Ramps-Up Production on its Link 16 Next-Generation Tactical Data Links Radios to Meet Near-Term U.S. and International Defense Requirements

Global Military Surge Interest Seen Most Dominantly in Viasat's Newest Link 16 Radio Product Line, BATS-E

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Jan 26, 2021, 08:00 ET

CARLSBAD, Calif., Jan. 26, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, announced today it increased production run rates to over 200 Non-Developmental Item (NDI) Link 16 Next-Generation Tactical Data Links radios per month to meet current interest and pending orders from U.S. and international defense customers.

Specifically, Viasat is seeing surge interest in its Battlefield Awareness Targeting System-Embedded (BATS-E) Link 16 radios, which provide network connectivity and access for a variety of unmanned platforms to view, relay and share situational awareness data for more accurate tracking, identification and engagement. The Company is on track to build 25 BATS-E radios per month to meet near-term demand from U.S. and global military forces—with an ability to go significantly higher if demand requires. The Company's other NDI Link 16 radios, the AN/PRC-161 Battlefield Awareness Targeting System-Dismounted (BATS-D) and KOR-24A Small Tactical Terminal (STT), round out the production levels to run rates totaling over 200 radios per month.

"The evolving threat environment requires new capabilities that give warfighters a 360-degree view of the battlefield," said Ken Peterman, Viasat's president, Government Systems. "Viasat is actively developing, fielding and bringing new capabilities to market, through our expansive NDI business model, which enables us to deliver products significantly faster, with lower lifecycle costs and lower risk to the defense customer when compared to traditional acquisition programs and timelines."

Peterman added, "We have a large-scale production capacity, which enables us to deliver high volumes of our Link 16 Next-Generation Tactical Data Links product line. These products empower warfighters with critical Link 16 communications on the battlefield; are future proofed to address emerging threat requirements; and meet cryptographic modernization requirements ahead of any Department of Defense mandated timeline."

To-date, Viasat has shipped in excess of 5,000 Link 16 Next-Generation Tactical Data Links radios worldwide.

For more information on Viasat's Link 16 Next-Generation Tactical Data Links product line, please visit the Company's website here.

About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. For more than 30 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate. Today, the Company is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, secure, affordable, fast connections to impact people's lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea. To learn more about Viasat, visit: www.viasat.com, go to Viasat's Corporate Blog, or follow the Company on social media at: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or 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 BATS-E, BATS-D and Small Tactical Terminal increased production rates, our ability to meet increased demand, and anticipated updates for future radio demand. 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: BATS-D product defects, manufacturing issues or delays, contractual problems, 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 © 2021 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo and the Viasat signal are registered trademarks of Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Viasat, Inc.