CARLSBAD, Calif., Dec. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, is proud to announce the first-ever handheld Link 16 radio, the Viasat Battlefield Awareness and Targeting System - Dismounted (BATS-D) device, known to the United States Department of Defense as the AN/PRC-161, is now National Security Agency (NSA) Type 1 certified.

The BATS-D handheld radio combines decades of Viasat experience in both Link 16 radio technology and Type 1 encryption solutions. BATS-D is a unique product, based on Viasat patented radio communication technology, providing direct access to a line of sight tactical datalink network for aircraft and ships in a handheld, dismounted form factor for ground forces. It comes to the field compliant for the Link 16 cryptographic modernization initiative (CMI) mandate, and is the first Link 16 radio to be natively certified for CMI as part of its initial certification. BATS-D leverages a derivative of Viasat's proven and certified Link 16 CMI implementation used on all MIDS JTRS (Multi-functional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System) and MIDS LVT (Multifunctional Information Distribution System Low Volume Terminal) Block Upgrade II radios.

BATS-D was specifically designed to enable direct, digital communications between a dismounted Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) and supporting Close Air Support (CAS) aircraft.  As BATS-D was a Non-Developmental Item (NDI) product, the NSA additionally wanted to verify it would be interoperable with other Link 16 radios such as the MIDS JTRS and the KOR-24A Small Tactical Terminal (STT) and added interoperability testing as a requirement to the BATS-D Type 1 certification process. 

"We're proud to announce our BATS-D handheld radio successfully interoperated with MIDS JTRS, STT and MIDS LVT products in the CMI and legacy modes on the very first attempt," said Ken Peterman, president, Government Systems, Viasat. "This is a testament to our Link 16 radio innovation, our agile development process, our focus on advanced crypto solutions and our decision to bring a commercial model to the defense market. We have certified BATS-D units available today to support U.S. and overseas contingency operations immediately, enabling us to ship product today without any wait."

About Viasat
Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. For more than 30 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate. Today, the Company is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, secure, affordable, fast connections to impact people's lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea. To learn more about Viasat, visit: www.viasat.com, go to Viasat's Corporate Blog, or follow the Company on social at: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or 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 interoperability. 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 © 2017 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.