Northrop Grumman taps Viasat to support Air Force commercial space internet projects
WASHINGTON - Northrop Grumman in Falls Church, Virginia needed a space internet service provider to support the company in its contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to test how how defense contractors and commercial satcom providers could integrate space internet services into existing military systems. They found their solution from Viasat in Carlsbad, California.
Northrop Grumman was originally selected for a four-year contract by the AFRL as part of the Defense Experimentation Using Commercial Space Internet (DEUCSI) Call 003 program – also known by its nickname "Global Lightning."
As part of its contract with Northrop Grumman, Viasat will provide its ViaSat-3 Satellite Communications Network to enable military users to easily access high-bandwidth satellite internet connectivity from existing USAF aircraft or ground vehicles.
Under the deal, Viasat will integrate its ViaSat-3 modem into Northrop Grumman's open systems processors and antenna solutions to conduct experiments demonstrating its use on multiple platforms. The modem is aligned with open communications and IP-protocol standards in use by the military, for example, OpenAMIP, CMOSS, and SOSA. Open standards have been identified as a top priority for the Department of Defense because they enable faster adoption of new communications technologies so military users can keep up with industry innovation. The ViaSat-3 modem is a low-size weight and power embeddable module that can seamlessly integrate with multiple mission systems by operating with open standards.
In October, Viasat announced it expanded its Ka-band constellation to include eight advanced new satellites currently under construction. These will provide additional capacity focused on the most highly trafficked routes and over the busy hubs. Additionally, with the unique ability to steer capacity to where it’s needed, passengers are ensured consistent high speeds wherever they fly
"Global Lightning is about delivering flexibility and agility for military users," said Victor Farah, Head of Viasat Government Systems. "Our reliable satellite services - coupled with the open source optimized ViaSat-3 modem - are designed to be able to offer game-changing communications capability so they can connect with ease and deliver mission success. We are delighted to be working on the program to offer our expertise across USAF's defense platforms."
