What Viasat - Tactical Data Links does

Viasat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), founded in 1986 and headquartered in Carlsbad, California, is a global satellite communications company operating a multi-orbit network across GEO, MEO, LEO, and HEO constellations, including the ViaSat-1, ViaSat-2, and ViaSat-3 high-throughput satellites (each designed for 1+ Tbps capacity covering the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific respectively), the Inmarsat Global Xpress Ka-band network, and the L-band network delivering up to 99.9% availability. The company employs 5,000–10,000 people across 45+ offices in 24+ countries and serves four primary customer segments: residential and small business subscribers in rural and underserved markets (with 99% U.S. and 96% Mexico population coverage), commercial and business aviation operators (Jet ConneX, SwiftJet, SwiftBroadband, Viasat Ka, and the forthcoming Viasat AMARA platform), enterprise users across energy, maritime, mining, agriculture, utilities, and IoT verticals, and government and defense agencies requiring secure tactical data links, encryption, multi-orbit resilient communications, ISR, and SATCOM terminals/modems.

The product portfolio is anchored by the Hybrid SATCOM Approach (HSA) multi-orbit platform with automated PACE fail-over across up to three antennas, the MUSIC jam-resistant military SATCOM system (integrated into the DoD LUCAS autonomous drone under the $1 billion Drone Dominance Program, July 2025), the Tactical Mission Fabric interoperability layer, and the ViaSat-3 satellite constellation. Supporting offerings include ELEVATE IoT partner marketplace, encryption and cybersecurity services, near-Earth spacecraft communications, real-time earth ground systems, and Velaris connectivity for Advanced Air Mobility / eVTOL aircraft. The Inmarsat acquisition (May 2023) added L-band and maritime scale; the RigNet acquisition (2021) brought managed energy communications; and the December 2024 divestiture of the Energy Services Systems Integration business to MAG Capital Partners (rebranded Nessco) reflects active portfolio rationalization toward core SATCOM, defense, and connectivity franchises.

The revenue model is predominantly subscription-recurring across residential, business, aviation, IoT, and maritime connectivity services, supplemented by managed services for government and energy customers (including dynamic spectrum leases and managed connectivity), hardware sales and leasing of satellite dishes/modems/terminals, and ancillary in-flight and mobility advertising through Viasat Ads. Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer online and phone sales, certified installation partner networks, dedicated enterprise and government field sales, regional sales entities (Spain, Mexico, Brazil, Qatar/MENA), and channel partners across aviation and IoT verticals. Customer support is delivered through 24/7 call centers, regional offices, WhatsApp (Brazil), and the My Viasat self-service portal and mobile app.

Name

Viasat - Tactical Data Links

Legal name

Viasat, Inc.

Website

https://viasat.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Viasat operates a multi-orbit GEO/MEO/LEO/HEO satellite network delivering secure, high-throughput connectivity to residential, business, aviation, maritime, IoT, and government/defense customers across 24+ countries, with particular depth in tactical defense data links and resilient military communications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Military Communications Equipment

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing (334220), Satellite Telecommunications (51741)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Communications Equipment, Nec (3669)

akta.pro primary industry

C4ISR Systems & Tactical Data Links (IMABAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Battlefield Networking, Tactical Data Links & Waveforms (IMABAOAJ), Military Aerospace Communications, Datalinks & Networking (IMABAMAK), Defense Communications (Secure Radios, SATCOM Terminals, Crypto) (IMABAGAG), Space-Based Defense Systems (SSA, Missile Warning, Protected SATCOM) (IMABAOAH)

Keywords

• Tactical data links
• Military satellite communications
• Defense SATCOM solutions
• Tactical networking systems
• Multi-orbit satellite connectivity

Headquarters

HQ city

Carlsbad

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Residential Satellite Internet: Monthly subscription-based satellite internet service for homes in rural/remote areas. Revenue from service plans, equipment leases, and professional installation fees. Viasat Essentials (150GB high-speed data with unlimited standard data) and Viasat Unleashed (unlimited high-speed data) plans available
2. Business/Enterprise Satellite Internet: Satellite connectivity services for small businesses, enterprises, and organizations. Includes backup internet, Static IP services ($10/mo), and business-specific plans. Target segments include agriculture, mining, energy, utilities, transport
3. Aviation Connectivity: In-flight connectivity and entertainment services for commercial and business aviation. Services include Jet ConneX, SwiftJet, SwiftBroadband, and European Aviation Network. Revenue from airlines (B2B) and passenger services
4. Government/Defense SATCOM: Mission-critical satellite communications for defense, ISR, border security, special forces, emergency response, and government agencies. Includes tactical networking, blue force tracking, PNT, and sovereign solutions
5. IoT Satellite Connectivity: Machine-to-machine satellite connectivity for IoT applications across energy, agriculture, mining, utilities, and transport sectors. Services include IoT Nano, IoT Pro, IoT Select, and IoT VSAT with flexible data plans
6. Maritime Connectivity: Satellite internet and communications services for maritime vessels and operations through Inmarsat partnership
7. Voice Services: VoIP services including Viasat Voice for residential and Business Voice ($35/mo). Unlimited calling to US, Mexico, and Canada with features like caller ID, call waiting, voicemail
8. Equipment Sales and Leasing: Sale and leasing of satellite dishes, modems, routers, and associated hardware. Equipment lease fees separate from monthly service plans
9. Managed Services: Fully managed connectivity services including managed communications for energy sector, managed connectivity for government, and dynamic spectrum leases
10. Advertising: In-flight and mobility advertising services targeting airline passengers and maritime users through Viasat Ads platform

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Viasat designs, manufactures, and integrates tactical data link and SATCOM solutions for military and defense operations. Offerings include the Hybrid SATCOM Approach (HSA) multi-orbit platform, Tactical Mission Fabric interoperability layer, MUSIC jam-resistant satellite communications, SATCOM terminals, modems, waveforms, antenna systems, and encryption solutions supporting secure communications in contested environments.

Product overview

Viasat is a global communications company offering a comprehensive satellite-based connectivity portfolio across residential, commercial, government, and defense sectors. The company operates a multi-layered satellite network including ViaSat-1, ViaSat-2, and the ViaSat-3 constellation (covering Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific), along with the Inmarsat Global Xpress network acquired in 2023. The product portfolio spans: (1) Residential/Business satellite internet with plans, voice, and support services; (2) Aviation connectivity including in-flight Wi-Fi (Viasat Ka, Jet ConneX, SwiftJet), safety services (SB-S, Iris), and the next-gen Viasat AMARA platform; (3) Enterprise IoT solutions (IoT Nano/Pro/Select, Go-anywhere Flex/Pro/VSAT) serving agriculture, mining, utilities, energy, and transport; (4) Government/Defense solutions including tactical data links, SATCOM terminals/modem/waveforms, ISR systems, cybersecurity, encryption, and tactical networking via the Tactical Mission Fabric interoperability platform; (5) Multi-orbit Hybrid SATCOM Approach (HSA) supporting LEO/MEO/GEO/HEO orbits with automated fail-over for military operations; and (6) ELEVATE partner marketplace. The systems integration business was divested to Nessco in December 2024.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ViaSat-3: Next-generation satellite constellation providing broadband connectivity
• Jet ConneX
• SwiftJet
• SwiftBroadband
• Iris
• European Aviation Network
• Velaris
• ELEVATE
• Viasat AMARA
• Hybrid SATCOM Approach (HSA)
• Go-anywhere Comms

Products and services

• Tactical Networking Tactical data link and networking solutions for military operations, enabling secure communication across distributed forces.
• Tactical Mission Fabric Interoperability platform enabling seamless communications across military data links, networks, and coalition forces.
• SATCOM Terminals Military-grade satellite communication terminals for ground, air, and sea platforms.
• SATCOM Modems and Waveforms Advanced modem and waveform technology for military satellite communications, including anti-jam waveforms.
• Hybrid SATCOM Approach (HSA) Multi-orbit satellite connectivity platform supporting LEO, MEO, GEO, and HEO orbits with automated primary-alternate-contingency-emergency (PACE) operations for up to three antennas in contested environments.
• MUSIC (Multi-User Simultaneous Access and Interconnect) Military satellite communications system designed for anti-jam, protected communications; integrated into autonomous weapons systems for secure, jam-resistant command and control connectivity.
• ISR Antenna Systems Specialized antenna systems for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance applications.
• Encryption Solutions Cloud, space, and edge encryption solutions for secure government and military communications.
• Managed Connectivity Fully managed satellite connectivity services for government operations, including mission-critical communications.
• Dynamic Leases Flexible satellite capacity leasing for government customers.
• Real-Time Earth Ground antenna systems for real-time satellite communications and tracking.
• Cybersecurity Services Managed cybersecurity services for government networks and communications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Satellite internet available to 99% of US population including rural areas
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• U.S. Department of Defense (Drone Dominance Program)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Viasat's MUSIC satellite communications system integrated into the LUCAS suicide drone system as part of the $1 billion Drone Dominance Program. The LUCAS drone achieved combat deployment just 8 months after Pentagon unveiling in July 2025. MUSIC provides jam-resistant command and control connectivity for autonomous weapons systems.
• SpaceX (Starlink/Starshield)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 July 2025Starlink/Starshield satellite communications paired with Viasat's MUSIC system in the LUCAS autonomous drone system, demonstrating multi-satellite communications integration for defense applications
• SpektreWorkscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 July 2025Arizona-based manufacturer of LUCAS suicide drone. Viasat's MUSIC system integrated alongside SpaceX communications for command and control in autonomous strike missions
• U.S. Air Force (Air Mobility Command)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) for Hybrid SATCOM Approach (HSA) platform demonstration during Bamboo Eagle 2025 exercise. Multi-orbit connectivity demonstrated across Pacific Ocean for large-scale joint coalition operations
• U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management CentercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025CRADA partner for HSA platform testing and validation under multi-orbit satellite communications program for contested environment operations
• MAG Capital PartnersminorOthers · 18 December 2024Private investment firm that acquired Viasat's Energy Services Systems Integration (SI) business. Approximately 80 employees and Aberdeen, Scotland facility transferred to new company Nessco. Transaction part of Viasat's portfolio optimization strategy
• RigNet Qatar (Subsidiary)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorViasat subsidiary operating as Middle East Regional Head Office. Licensed by Qatar's ictQatar regulatory authority. Supports service center locations in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, UAE, Iraq, and Oman for offshore and onshore satellite communications services
• InmarsatcoreTechnology or IntegrationAcquired in May 2023, Inmarsat combines teams, technologies and resources with Viasat to create expanded global communications partner. Adds L-band network, Global Xpress constellation, and maritime expertise to portfolio
• European Aviation Network (EAN)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership providing European Aviation Network - combined satellite and terrestrial connectivity for aviation across Europe

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/viasat
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ViaSatInc
• Facebookfacebook.com/ViaSat
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/viasat
• Instagraminstagram.com/viasat

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Viasat - Tactical Data Links