CARLSBAD, Calif., Oct. 10, 2024 – Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, today announced that it is now delivering ViaSat-3 F1 (VS3 F1) service to the U.S. Marine Corps, marking the first use of the ViaSat-3 network by a government customer. This follows the VS3 F1 satellite recently beginning to deliver services for commercial airline customers operating over North America.
The Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38 (MWCS-38) and the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment are the first military operational units to leverage service from the ViaSat-3 F1 satellite. The MWCS-38, which provides expeditionary communications support to the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) inside the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), is using existing Multi-Mission Terminals (MMT) to access VS3 F1 service. The 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, based out of the Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, is also using VS3 F1 services to support mission and reconnaissance operation communications.
The ViaSat-3 constellation, which will include two additional satellites, is designed to deliver high-throughput, flexible broadband connectivity that can meet (or exceed) performance, security and resilience requirements for U.S. and global coalition mission operations.
“This is an important milestone for our government services and solutions team and U.S. Department of Defense and global government customers,” said Susan Miller, President of Viasat Government. “The ViaSat-3 satellite network was designed with government missions in mind, offering greater capacity and the flexibility to dynamically shift bandwidth where it’s needed most. The use of small beams, beam shaping, encryption and ViaSat-3’s unique anti-jam capabilities are designed to provide secure and reliable connectivity to support the most critical government missions.”
“It’s exciting to see both government and commercial customers beginning to leverage this next-generation network. The two additional ViaSat-3 satellites are currently in the late stages of production and testing, including the successful completion of thermal vacuum testing on ViaSat-3 F3 recently and the successful completion of mechanical environmental testing on ViaSat-3 F2,” said Craig Miller, President of Global Space Networks, Viasat.
ViaSat-3 F1 experienced an antenna deployment anomaly following its launch in April 2023. However, extensive in-orbit testing demonstrated that all other systems on the satellite were operating at or beyond expectations. This deployment anomaly resulted in a significant reduction in overall capacity, but the resiliency and high-performance specifications of the satellite still allow it to support high-speed broadband services for government and commercial customers over North America, where the satellite is currently deployed.
Visit our website for more information about ViaSat-3 and Viasat’s over SATCOM services for government users worldwide.
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About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people’s lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space. In May 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the Viasat News Room or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X or YouTube.
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Viasat, Inc. Contacts
Dan Bleier/Jonathan Sinnatt, Corporate Communications, PR@viasat.com
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Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements include, among others, statements that refer to the expected performance, capabilities and anticipated benefits of the ViaSat-3 satellites; and the anticipated service entry dates of future ViaSat-3 satellites. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: risks associated with the construction, launch and operation of the ViaSat-3 class satellites, including the effect of any anomaly, operational failure or degradation in satellite performance; the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the ViaSat-3 class satellites; unexpected expenses or delays related to the ViaSat-3 class satellites; the ability to successfully implement Viasat’s business plan for broadband services on Viasat’s anticipated timeline or at all, including with respect to the ViaSat-3 class satellites; contractual problems, product defects, manufacturing issues or delays; regulatory issues; technologies not being developed according to anticipated schedules, or that do not perform according to expectations; and increased competition and other factors affecting the connectivity sector, generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in our SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.