ViaSat has received an in-flight broadband and communications services contract from the US Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA).

Valued at around $73m, the contract will see the company providing global in-flight internet and connectivity services to Air Force One and other government senior leader aircraft.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Go deeper with GlobalData

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

The contract covers support for VC-25s, C-17s, C-32s, C-37s, C-40s and the complete range of VIP and special air mission aircraft.

A hybrid Ku-/Ka-band system will keep government aircraft connected to ViaSat's satellite network.

The hybrid terminal and radome enables automatic in-flight network switching across Ku- and Ka-band satellite networks for an advanced 'global roaming capability', the company said.

ViaSat Government Systems Division senior vice-president and general manager Ken Peterman said: "ViaSat's high-capacity global in-flight internet service ensures executive and government leaders and their teams can stay connected, informed and productive, maximising the effectiveness of time in-flight with 'Situation Room and Command Center' connectivity in the sky.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData
"ViaSat's high-capacity global in-flight internet service ensures executive and government leaders and their teams can stay connected, informed and productive."

"This award is a significant accomplishment and we are proud to be delivering remarkably fast data speeds and an abundance of capacity to support the in-flight communications needs of our government's senior leadership on Air Force One and other special air mission aircraft."

ViaSat in-flight internet service enables high-definition (HD) video streaming for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), en-route command and control (C2) and search and rescue (S&R) missions.

The service can also be used to maintain a two-way communications through HD video conference calling or voice over internet protocol calls; access real-time intelligence and other location-based, live-sensor data for critical decision-making and more.

Image: Air Force One flying over Mount Rushmore. Photo: courtesy of US Air Force.

Airforce Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Airforce Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.


Excellence in Action
Discover how Virtualitics is transforming mission readiness with explainable AI, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision intelligence across the U.S. Department of Defense through its AI-powered Integrated Readiness Optimization suite, for which it has won the Innovation and Business Expansion awards.

Discover the Impact