Viasat Introduces Enhanced LAISR Service for Crewed and Uncrewed Airborne, Maritime and Land Platforms

Rhea-AI Summary

Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) has introduced Enhanced LAISR, a global mobility, on-demand managed L-band service for government mobile users. This service offers communications flexibility for airborne, maritime, and land platforms worldwide. Enhanced LAISR builds upon Viasat's award-winning L-band Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (LAISR) solution, providing:

- Cost-effective, high-speed beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) SATCOM connectivity
- Low size, weight, and power (SWaP) user terminals
- All-weather resilience and 99.9% network reliability
- On-demand, managed L-band network access globally

The service will utilize the new Enhanced L-band Maritime Antenna (ELMA) and upcoming LAISR-COTM terminal, with additional terminals in development to further reduce SWaP.

Positive

• Introduction of Enhanced LAISR service for government mobile users
• Expansion of Viasat's global L-band space and ground network capabilities
• High network reliability of 99.9% for military operations
• Development of new terminals with reduced size, weight, and power (SWaP)

Negative

• None.

Tech Expert

Viasat's Enhanced LAISR service represents a significant advancement in satellite communications for government and military applications. The service's ability to provide 99.9% network reliability and all-weather resilience addresses critical needs in military operations. The focus on low SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) terminals is particularly noteworthy, as it enables deployment on a wider range of platforms, including uncrewed vehicles.

The on-demand, managed L-band service offers flexibility that could be game-changing for mobile users, allowing for cost-effective scaling of communications capabilities. However, the true impact will depend on the pricing structure and bandwidth capabilities, which are not detailed in the announcement. The development of additional terminals suggests Viasat is committed to expanding the service's reach, potentially opening up new market segments in the defense and government sectors.

Market Research Analyst

This announcement could positively impact Viasat's market position in the government and defense sectors. The global military communications market is projected to grow significantly, with a CAGR of 5.8% from 2021 to 2028. Viasat's Enhanced LAISR service is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth, particularly in the ISR segment.

The service's global coverage and flexibility could give Viasat a competitive edge over regional providers. However, the company faces stiff competition from other major players like Inmarsat and Iridium in the L-band space. Viasat's success will largely depend on its ability to differentiate its offering through superior performance, cost-effectiveness and ease of integration with existing systems. Investors should monitor contract wins and adoption rates among key government agencies to gauge the service's market traction.

On-demand, managed L-Band service offers a cost-effective, flexible solution for government mobile users

CARLSBAD, Calif., Sept. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global leader in satellite communications, today introduced Enhanced LAISR, its global mobility, on-demand managed L-band service offering communications flexibility for airborne, maritime and land users worldwide. It will deliver highly available, flexible, on-demand capabilities enabled by Viasat's seamless, global L-band space and ground network.

The award-winning L-band Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (LAISR) solution was developed to meet specific government requirements. It delivers cost-effective, high-speed beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) satellite communications (SATCOM) connectivity for mobile platforms via low size, weight and power (SWaP) user terminals. Military operations benefit from all-weather resilience and 99.9 percent network reliability.

As government organizations increasingly rely on highly mobile crewed and uncrewed Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions worldwide, they need reliable, consistent SATCOM connectivity to transmit large volumes of data. Enhanced LAISR service will deliver on-demand, managed L-band network access to customers around the world, ensuring users can access the service whenever and wherever it is needed.

Customers will use the new Enhanced L-band Maritime Antenna (ELMA) and soon-to-be available LAISR-COTM (comms-on-the-move) terminal to connect to Enhanced LAISR services. Additional terminals are in development to provide access to the Enhanced LAISR service and deliver reliable, high-speed, seamless connectivity and uniform global capabilities via a further reduced SWaP form factor. 

Steve Gizinski, Chief Technology Officer of Viasat Government, said, "Enhanced LAISR is the latest example of Viasat's continuous focus on enhancing terminals and services to deliver additional value and resilience to our government customers as their needs evolve. With Enhanced LAISR, we are expanding upon the proven LAISR capability and our robust service level agreements to provide a highly flexible and accessible service to support crewed and uncrewed ISR missions worldwide."

Visit our website to learn more about this end-to-end LAISR service.

About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. With offices in 24 countries around the world, our mission shapes how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate and connect. Viasat is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, reliable, secure, affordable, fast connections to positively impact people's lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea, while building a sustainable future in space. In May 2023, Viasat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining the teams, technologies and resources of the two companies to create a new global communications partner. Learn more at www.viasat.com, the Viasat News Room or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X or YouTube. 

Copyright © 2024 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat, the Viasat logo and the Viasat Signal are registered trademarks in the U.S. and in other countries of Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements
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 features, expected benefits and performance of the LAISR service and user terminals. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially and adversely 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; delays in approving U.S. government budgets and cuts in government defense expenditures; 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.

 

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SOURCE Viasat, Inc.

FAQ

What is Viasat's Enhanced LAISR service?

Enhanced LAISR is Viasat's global mobility, on-demand managed L-band service offering communications flexibility for airborne, maritime, and land users worldwide. It provides cost-effective, high-speed beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) satellite communications connectivity for mobile platforms.

What are the key features of Viasat's Enhanced LAISR service?

Key features include cost-effective high-speed BLOS SATCOM connectivity, low size, weight, and power (SWaP) user terminals, all-weather resilience, 99.9% network reliability, and on-demand, managed L-band network access globally.

Which terminals will be used for Viasat's Enhanced LAISR service?

The Enhanced LAISR service will use the new Enhanced L-band Maritime Antenna (ELMA) and the upcoming LAISR-COTM (comms-on-the-move) terminal. Additional terminals are in development to further reduce SWaP and provide access to the service.

How does Enhanced LAISR benefit government organizations?

Enhanced LAISR benefits government organizations by providing reliable, consistent SATCOM connectivity for highly mobile crewed and uncrewed Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions worldwide, enabling the transmission of large volumes of data.