ViaSat Streams HD Video with Ultra Small Airborne Satcom Terminal

CARLSBAD, Calif., April 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Following previous ground testing, successful flight tests by ViaSat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) have verified the industry's highest performance for a mobile satellite broadband system using ultra-small aperture antennas. U.S. Special Forces (USSOCOM) and other service representatives witnessed an ISR exercise that streamed full motion, HD video over an airborne Ka-band satellite link, while also providing enough bandwidth for a concurrent video conference and Voice over IP (VOIP) phone calls.

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After taking off in Carlsbad, the aircraft traveled to an eastern San Diego County test range, exercising the broadband network mission applications during typical ISR aircraft maneuvers. The airborne satcom system featured ArcLight® 2 mobile broadband terminals and a VR-12 Ka-band 12-inch tracking antenna from ViaSat. Test equipment measured 7 Mbps throughput on the air-to-ground link and 1Mbps on the ground to air link as the applications were streamed back into secure government networks for end-to-end verification.

The antenna system was integrated within the tail assembly of a Pilatus PC-12 aircraft and flown under contract with Sierra Nevada Corporation. For this satellite and ground equipment configuration, including a network hub with a 1.2 meter antenna and 2 watt power amplifier, the satellite network operated at various data rates within the 8 Mbps capacity limits of the network. Even higher data rates are possible with larger ground antennas or high throughput Ka-band satellites, such as the 140 Gbps ViaSat-1 recently launched over North America.

"While conducting C4ISR missions today, our users require the ability to positively identify targets such as vehicles, individuals, and items carried by individuals," said Jim Herren, USSOCOM. "The higher data rates made possible by the VR-12 Ka antenna and ArcLight 2 modem will allow us, for the first time, the ability to utilize high-definition, full motion video and positively identify potential targets from manned C4ISR platforms."

"We designed the VR-12 Ka antenna as a form/fit replacement for our Ku system to enable quick field changes between Ka and Ku," added Larry Taylor deputy GM, ViaSat Global Mobile Broadband. "The intent is to provide flexibility for our airborne customers who need high data rate connectivity options for their missions with minimal impact on aerodynamics."

Highlighting new ViaSat mobile terminal capabilities shown during this two-day exercise were various coding and modulation combinations used to improve bandwidth efficiency.

For information on pricing and availability contact Jeff Warner, ISR business director, at 619-787-0128.

About ViaSat
ViaSat delivers fast, secure communications, Internet, and network access to virtually any location for consumers, governments, enterprise, and the military. The company offers fixed and mobile satellite network services including Exede(SM) by ViaSat, which features ViaSat-1, the world's highest capacity satellite; satellite broadband networking systems; and network-centric military communication systems and cyber security products to the U.S. and allied governments. ViaSat also offers communication system design and a number of complementary products and technologies. Based in Carlsbad, California, ViaSat has established a number of worldwide locations for customer service, network operations, and technology development.

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 improved bandwidth efficiency, higher data rates, and minimal impact on aerodynamics.  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 defense 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.

Contact:
Joe LoBello / Scott Cianciulli
Brainerd Communicators
212.986.6667
[email protected]
[email protected]

SOURCE ViaSat