ViaSat Introduces a Revolutionary New Handheld Link 16 Radio Offering Greater Digital Situational Awareness for Dismounted Ground Forces

CARLSBAD, Calif., May 4, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ViaSat Inc. VSAT, a global broadband services and technology company, announced today the ViaSat Battlefield Awareness and Targeting System – Dismounted (BATS-D) handheld Link 16 radio – a new digital device that will enable U.S. forces the ability to engage enemy forces 20 times faster than using current radios in their inventory.

For the first time in history, a single dismounted operator had the ability to interact with incoming aircraft, digitally identify their location and designate enemy targets for air attack using nothing but a handheld Link 16 radio in the palm of their hand. Over the course of a five-day exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, near Las Vegas, Nevada, dismounted air controllers from a number of U.S. military organizations conducted training with Close Air Support (CAS) aircraft using the ViaSat BATS-D Link 16 handheld radio.

It is imperative that U.S. ground forces have the capability to interact with CAS aircraft in order to quickly and efficiently communicate the position of the enemy and their own location. Prior to the advent of ViaSat's BATS-D handheld Link 16 radio, communications of this nature required a series of voice communications exchanges risking confusion or interception, and delaying support to forces under fire. A Defense Science Board study on air operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom stated that Close Air Support's "utility was limited by what several called an unreliable and overly complex process for requesting and coordinating fires."

"The ViaSat BATS-D radio is a game-changer for dismounted warfighters," said Ken Peterman, executive vice president and general manager, Government Systems Division, ViaSat. "Now, dismounted ground forces have access to the same digital Common Operational Picture and situational awareness that aircraft and higher echelon units have had for years. This access will help prevent potential blue-on-blue engagements and increase the lethality of dismounted forces carrying the radio.  The BATS-D handheld Link-16 device is comparable to introducing a smartphone where there were only desktop computers; it holds the potential to completely transform the battlespace. BATS-D is yet another example of ViaSat's unique approach to serving the defense market by bringing innovative solutions to solve real warfighter problems that improve mission effectiveness."

Development of the ViaSat BATS-D radio will be completed within CY1H 2016 with full production scheduled to begin by the end of the calendar year.

About ViaSat
ViaSat, Inc. VSAT keeps the world connected. As a global broadband services and technology company, ViaSat ensures consumers, businesses, governments and military personnel have communications access - anywhere - whether on the ground or in-flight. The Company's innovations in designing highest-capacity satellites and secure ground infrastructure and terminal technologies coupled with its international network of managed Wi-Fi hotspots enable ViaSat to deliver a best available network that extends the reach and accessibility of broadband internet service, globally. For more information visit ViaSat at:  www.viasat.com, or follow the Company on social media:  Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Forward Looking Statement
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 statements about the BATS-D speed of communication, improved performance and situational awareness, and timeframe. 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: 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 government and defense sectors generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in ViaSat's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including ViaSat's 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. ViaSat undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

Copyright © 2016 ViaSat, Inc. All rights reserved. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. ViaSat is a registered trademark of ViaSat, Inc.

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SOURCE ViaSat Inc.