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.
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.
"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.
