ViaSat, USJFCOM Demonstrate Mobile Broadband Technology for Command and Control On-the-Move

ViaSat, USJFCOM Demonstrate Mobile Broadband Technology for Command and Control On-the-Move

2004-12-16 -

Carlsbad, CA - Initial demonstrations of new mobile broadband technology from ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq:VSAT) were termed �an enormous hit� by a group representing all branches of the U.S. armed forces. The Command and Control On-the-move (C2OTM) demonstration by the U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) Joint C4ISR Battle Center put the equivalent of a DSL connection inside a moving HMMWV (Humvee). The vehicle was provided through a prototyping partnership with the Battle Command Battle Lab (BCBL) at Ft. Gordon. The C2OTM demonstration was part of the USJFCOM role as �the transformation laboratory� that accelerates the military�s adoption of commercial technologies.

"To say they were impressed I think is an understatement. They�ve seen that it's real and it works," said Navy Lt. Cdr. Steve Fahey, C2OTM project lead at the Joint Systems Integration Command (JSIC). �Usually the joint force commander has to trade connectivity for mobility and that forces commanders to go without the battle space awareness they want. This technology gives them the same capability and applications on the move as they have in their offices.�

The new system is based on ViaSat�s bandwidth-efficient ArcLight� technology which uses a spread spectrum waveform similar to CDMA. The mobile satellite modem can also be paired with ViaSat�s compact KG-250 in-line network encryptor to secure communications up to Top Secret levels. When the operational system is complete, a low profile antenna mounted on their vehicles is designed to enable commanders to receive secure real-time, broadband information via satellite feeds from their headquarters. Data speeds during the demo were 3 Mbit/s inbound and 256 kbit/s out from the vehicle. A streaming video projection of the driver's perspective from the moving vehicle provided a backdrop to a demonstration which included two-way audio, a virtual whiteboard, web portal access, Common Operational Picture (COP) track displays, and a simultaneous chat session between a simulated headquarters, the Humvee, and a forward deployed team in Iraq.

�This demo is part of US JFCOM�s mission to evaluate commercial, off-the-shelf products for tactical utility enabling accelerated introduction of transformational capabilities to the warfighter,� said Ric Vandermeulen, director of Government Broadband at ViaSat.

The charter for the JFCOM JSIC is to quickly introduce new transformational technologies for joint forces use. In this case the innovative ViaSat mobile satellite system was introduced into commercial markets just within the past six months. The goal is to cut the government procurement cycle from as long as ten years to a matter of months. C2OTM is the proof of concept phase. Future steps are expected to lead to development of an operational prototype and eventually a field-ready system.

About ViaSat

ViaSat produces innovative satellite and other wireless communication products that enable fast, secure, and efficient communications to any location. Products include satellite ground systems, information security devices, tactical communication radios, and communication simulators. Our full line of satellite communication products includes VSAT systems for network access and infrastructure, and Ka-band satellite systems, from user terminals to large gateways for both geosynchronous and low earth orbit satellites. Along with its headquarters in Carlsbad, CA, ViaSat has divisions located in Norcross, GA, and Clarksburg, MD.

In addition the company�s wholly-owned subsidiary, US Monolithics, designs and produces monolithic microwave integrated circuits (MMICs) and modules for use in broadband communications for military and commercial applications. US Monolithics is based in Chandler, Arizona.

Safe Harbor Statement
Portions of this release, particularly statements about the capabilities of the ViaSat system and program schedule, may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. ViaSat wishes to caution you that there are some factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to: contractual problems, 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 telecommunications industry generally. The Company refers you to the documents it files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the section titled Factors That May Affect Future Performance in the Company's Form 10-K, which contain and identify other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements. Stockholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements.


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