- ViaSat announces that its ViaSat-3 F1 satellite is now delivering services to the U.S. Marine Corps, marking its first use by a government entity.
- The Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38 and the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment are the first units to utilise this advanced satellite service.
- Despite an antenna deployment issue, ViaSat-3 F1 still provides high-speed broadband services across North America.
Delivering services to U.S. marine corps
ViaSat, Inc., a global leader in satellite communications, announced that it is now delivering ViaSat-3 F1 (VS3 F1) services to the U.S. Marine Corps, marking the first time the ViaSat-3 network is being used by a government customer. This announcement follows the VS3 F1 satellite beginning to deliver services for commercial airline customers across North America. The introduction of ViaSat-3’s advanced capabilities aims to bolster the connectivity and communication capabilities of both commercial and military users, showcasing the multi-purpose adaptability of the satellite.
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The Marine Wing Communications Squadron 38 (MWCS-38) and the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment are the first military units to use the ViaSat-3 F1 satellite. MWCS-38, which provides expeditionary communication support to the Aviation Combat Element (ACE) within the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF), is utilising existing Multi-Mission Terminals (MMT) to access VS3 F1 services. Additionally, the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, based at Marine Corps Base Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, is employing VS3 F1 services to support mission-critical and reconnaissance communication operations. These capabilities underline the versatility of ViaSat-3 for a range of operational scenarios, both on the ground and in remote locations.
Global reach and capabilities
It’s exciting to see both government and commercial customers beginning to leverage this next-generation network. The two additional ViaSat-3 satellites are currently in the late stages of production and testing, including the successful completion of thermal vacuum testing on ViaSat-3 F3 recently and the successful completion of mechanical environmental testing on ViaSat-3 F2.
Craig Miller, President of Global Space Networks, ViaSat
The ViaSat-3 constellation, which will ultimately include three satellites, is engineered to deliver high-throughput, flexible broadband connectivity. It is designed to meet or exceed performance, security, and resilience standards for both U.S. and global coalition mission operations. According to Craig Miller, President of Global Space Networks at Viasat, it is encouraging to see both government and commercial clients utilising this next-generation network. Currently, the remaining two ViaSat-3 satellites are in the late stages of production and testing, with recent successful thermal vacuum testing of ViaSat-3 F3 and mechanical environmental testing of ViaSat-3 F2. This progress marks a significant milestone for Viasat in its efforts to offer global broadband services.
The multi-satellite constellation is expected to extend its service beyond North America, providing a worldwide broadband network that meets the diverse needs of military, commercial, and consumer users. The satellite’s ability to deliver secure, resilient, and adaptable communication solutions is critical to meeting evolving operational requirements in today’s digital landscape.
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Challenges and performance
Despite an antenna deployment anomaly following its launch in April 2023, extensive in-orbit testing of ViaSat-3 F1 demonstrated that all other systems on the satellite were performing at or above expectations. While the anomaly resulted in a reduction in overall capacity, the satellite’s robust design still supports high-speed broadband services for both government and commercial users across North America. This demonstrates ViaSat’s ability to navigate challenges and continue delivering high-quality services to its customers.
The satellite’s resilience and ability to maintain reliable service, despite technical setbacks, highlight ViaSat’s commitment to fulfilling its operational promises. This capacity to adapt ensures that the ViaSat-3 constellation remains a vital asset for customers requiring secure, high-performance broadband, including military applications and remote operations.
About ViaSat
ViaSat is a global communications company that believes in connecting everyone and everything around the world. With offices in 24 countries, ViaSat’s mission influences how consumers, businesses, governments, and militaries communicate. ViaSat is building a global communications network to deliver high-quality, reliable, secure, and affordable connections, whether on land, in the air, or at sea, while contributing to a sustainable future in space. In May 2023, ViaSat completed its acquisition of Inmarsat, combining both companies’ teams, technologies, and resources to create a new global communications powerhouse.
