The cooperation agreement covers Orbit’s MPT-30 (12″) and MPT-46 (18″) Ka-band product lines.
According to the company, the newly integrated system will create a set of terminals capable of operating over the Viasat Ka-band networks, the Global Xpress network, and other MEO constellation networks. This integrated solution will provide military and commercial end-users with ubiquitous access to Ka-band capacity, global coverage, and increased resiliency from both the Viasat and Global Xpress networks. It will deliver many of the advantages resulting from the broader network integration of the newly combined company.
Dany Eshchar, CEO of Orbit Communications Systems, stated that Viasat and Orbit are taking a multi-phased approach to integrate their respective technologies to meet the short-term and long-term needs of high requirement government users worldwide. The cooperation is expected to benefit additional customers of both companies.
Victor Farah, Vice President of Viasat Government Broadband Systems, highlighted that this innovative system will also leverage Viasat’s recent acquisition of Inmarsat, tapping into added Ka-band capacity and flexibility. He emphasized that the new terminal adheres to the Open AMIP standards, enabling customers to access the entire Ka-band spectrum, including Mil-Ka. This collaboration aims to offer government customers a truly global and flexible Ka-band experience that supports their missions.
According to Orbit, the Multi-Purpose Terminals (MPT) fulfill the coverage requirements of military and commercial airborne users, providing “everywhere, all-the-time” connectivity. These terminals enable government users to switch between commercial Ka-band and Mil-Ka services. With low size, weight, and power (SWaP) characteristics, they can deliver up to 126 Mbps forward link and up to 29 Mbps return link on Mil-Ka HCX service, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity during all flight phases.
The MPT terminals are suitable for various aircraft, including business jets, mission aircraft, rotary wing aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). They comply with industry standards such as MIL-STD-188-164C, RTCA DO-160G, Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). Moreover, they are compatible with military satellite systems, making them an ideal choice for government airborne Intelligence, Reconnaissance, and Surveillance (ISR) applications.
