ViaSat to keep Air Force One connected
ViaSat has been selected to provide global broadband and communication services to US military aircraft including Air Force One, the aircraft used to transport the US President. The $73 million award was announced by ViaSat on 27 July.
Aircraft to be supported under the contract include the VC-25s, C-17s, C-32s, C-37s and C-40s used to transport the president and other senior VIPs. ViaSat will provide services to enable ‘a situation room in the sky’ – including the ability to stream full-motion high-definition video via the in-flight broadband connection for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, en-route command and control and search and rescue missions.
Two-way communications are possible via HD video conference calling or voice over internet protocol calls; real-time intelligence and other location-based, live-sensor data can be accessed for critical decision-making.
ViaSat’s solution is based on a certified, hybrid Ku-/Ka-band system, which keeps aircraft connected to the best available 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.
Ken Peterman, senior vice president and general manager, government systems division, ViaSat, 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 centre’ connectivity in the sky.’
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