ViaSat STT selected for Canadian CP-140

The ViaSat KOR-24A Small Tactical Terminal (STT) has been selected for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Lockheed CP-140 Aurora maritime patrol aircraft, ViaSat and General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada announced on 25 May.

Deliveries of the STT began in March 2016. The companies said that the KOR-24A was selected since it was found to meet the CP-140's current mission needs and satisfy deployment and fielding requirements, such as immediate terminal availability, exportability and interoperability with other Link 16 platforms, including the CF-18 Hornets, Halifax class frigates and fixed/mobile ground stations.

The CP-140 is used by the RCAF for C4ISR. Among the missions undertaken are is used for operations including domestic maritime surveillance, anti-surface warfare, maritime and overall ISR, search and rescue and strike coordination.

The ViaSat KOR-24A STT is a two-channel terminal for real-time combat communications. It maintains a constant presence on Link 16 on one channel and simultaneously operates data and voice connections on its second channel. It has a compact, ruggedised form factor.

Ken Peterman, senior vice president, government systems division, ViaSat, said: 'This is a monumental award for ViaSat as it represents our first STT award to be used by the Department of National Defence as well as marks the CP-140 Aurora as a new airborne platform for our STT.

'In working with General Dynamics Mission Systems-Canada, we are enabling a key coalition partner, the Department of National Defence, to meet the ongoing needs of their missions in a timely manner. By embedding our proven Link 16 STT into the CP-140 Aurora fleet, these aircraft will now find themselves in the "heart of the action" during critical coalition missions, as the Link 16 platform provides advanced communications with real-time situational awareness and location data, and simultaneous voice or data communication on two key waveforms at the battlefield's edge.'