X- and Ka-band earth terminals to provide access to new Wideband Global Satcom satellite

17:30 GMT, November 3, 2009 CARLSBAD, Calif. | ViaSat Inc. (NASDAQ:VSAT) has been selected by BAE Systems Australia to provide satellite ground stations for a high-speed upgrade to Australian Defence Force (ADF) satellite communications. The ViaSat X-band and Ka-band satellite antenna systems are part of a network that is designed to provide Australian forces with enhanced access to the Australian Defence Wide Area Network, ADF headquarters, and support elements.

The network will be using bandwidth capacity on the Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) system in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Defense, and other Australian defense satellites. The $9.4 million contract order is for multiple 9-meter Ka-band and 16-meter X-band earth terminals and services, with delivery scheduled for the third quarter of calendar 2011.

The new terminals will be installed at the ADF Satellite Ground Station in Western Australia (SGS-West). The SGS-West facility, being built by BAE Systems, is a complement to a similar system in Eastern Australia. In addition to faster data throughput, the new system is designed to increase the survivability and mission coverage needs of the ADF.