ViaSat Gets $73 Million Air Force 1 Wi-Fi Deal

ViaSat has announced a new $73 Million contract with the United States Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) to provide in-flight internet service on U.S. Government VC-25s (AirForce 1), C-17s, C-32s, C-37s, C-40s and the complete range of VIP and special air mission aircraft.

Air_Force_One_over_Mt._Rushmore
A Boeing VC-25 (Air Force 1) Flying Over Mt. Rushmore. Wikimedia Commons. 

The contract will support a “Situation Room in the Sky” with broadband connection streaming full-motion high-definition video for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaisance (ISR), en-route Command and Control (C2) and Search and Rescue (S&R) missions. 

Participants will be able to maintain two-way communications through HD video conference calling or voice over internet protocol (VOIP) calls. They will also access real-time intelligence and location-based, live-sensor data to aide in critical decision making.

“ViaSat’s high-capacity global in-flight internet service ensures executive and government leaders and their teams can stay connected, informed and productive, maximizing the effectiveness of time in-flight with ‘Situation Room and Command Center’ connectivity in the sky,” said Ken Peterman, senior vice president and general manager, Government Systems Division, ViaSat. “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’s system offers hybrid Ku-/Ka-band connections, which give governments access to the best available satellites at all phases of flight. A hybrid terminal and radome allows the automatic switching of satellite bands in-flight to support global roaming.

The contract will be in effect from June 1, 2016 through May 31, 2017 with two options for six-month extensions.

You Don’t Have to Be POTUS to Get ViaSat Wi-Fi

The high-speed connectivity provider has contracts to offer high-speed connectivity on airlines which include American Airlines, EL/AL, JetBlue, Qantas, Virgin America and United Airlines.

Marisa Garcia

After working for sixteen years in aviation, specializing in aircraft interiors design and aviation safety equipment, and getting hands-on with aircraft cabins in hangars around the world, Marisa Garcia turned her expertise into industry insight. She has been reporting on aviation matters since 2014. Every day, she's putting words to work.

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