ViaSat’s Small Tactical Terminal Becomes First Link 16 Radio to Successfully Pass Live RF Testing for the Canadian Army’s Air Space Coordination Centre Modernization Project
Small Tactical Terminal Approved for Use across the Canadian Armed Forces; Highlights Interoperability of the Terminal across Platforms and Missions
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, Sept. 5, 2017 /CNW/ -- (DEFSEC Atlantic - ViaSat Booth #913) - ViaSat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global broadband services and technology company, today announced its KOR-24A Small Tactical Terminal (STT) is the first small form factor, software-defined Link 16 radio to successfully pass live Radio Frequency (RF) range testing for the Canadian Army’s Air Space Coordination Centre Modernization (ASCCM) project. In addition to reaching this milestone, ViaSat is also proud to announce the KOR-24A has been approved for use by the Canadian Armed Forces, across platforms and missions.
A key goal of the ASCCM project has been to improve the Canadian Army’s Airspace Coordination Centre capability by modernizing existing systems and integrating them into military and civilian airspace control systems. By upgrading current data link capabilities, and leveraging new terminals including the ViaSat KOR-24A STT, the Canadian Army expects to enhance its joint network interoperability and improve its voice and data communications.
“Reaching these two major milestones with our KOR-24A STT is a win for ViaSat, but more importantly a win for the Canadian Armed Forces, as they are now able to leverage a proven STT solution to link their voice and data capabilities into a broader range of Canadian and Allied Forces platforms for both domestic and international operations,” said Ken Peterman, president, Government Systems, ViaSat. “Our approved STT can provide assured interoperability and communications with existing and next-generation systems, including the PRC-152A; thereby linking a number of Link 16-enabled platforms from the CP-140 Aurora aircraft and Halifax-class frigates to the CF-18 Hornets and fixed/mobile ground stations, to name a few.”
ViaSat is well-positioned to provide the Canadian Armed Forces with end-to-end, integrated capabilities for secure, interoperable communications. In fact, today the Royal Canadian Air Force has procured the KOR-24A STT units for integration and installation in the CP-140 Aurora aircraft. As an officially approved terminal, the KOR-24A STT will now be available to other specialized units, including the high readiness, self-sustainable 8 Air Communications and Control Squadron (8 ACCS).
About the ASCCM Project Test Environment
The ASCCM project called for a rigorous testing environment. For more than four and a half hours, the ViaSat STT maintained a constant, reliable connection in the Link 16 network. With a demonstrated range for the STT of over 165 nautical miles, the testing environment used by the National Research Council’s Convair 580 aircraft, which reached an altitude of 23,000 feet with an RF range from ground-to-air/air-to-ground of approximately 160 - 170 nautical miles, was easily achieved.
About the KOR-24A Small Tactical Terminal
ViaSat’s KOR-24A STT is the only two-channel radio designed to meet the needs of users who have size, weight and power (SWaP) constraints, but also need simultaneous access to Link 16 and either wideband UHF or legacy VHF/UHF. Having both channels in one terminal will enable users to consume tactical information from a ground network and pass that information over Link 16 and vice versa, creating seamless communications and interoperability between air and ground forces. It will also provide SWaP-constrained platforms, outfitted with a legacy VHF/UHF radio, an easy upgrade path to Link 16 (while maintaining its legacy capability), without having to impact platform SWaP. The terminal is packaged in an affordable, industry standard compact form factor and is ruggedized to meet demanding environmental requirements.
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 availability to specialized units, upgrade path to Link 16 and the KOR-24A performance and interoperability with Canadian Armed Forces across platforms and missions. 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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