With a strong presence across all DOD services and with one lone DOT award over the extended period of SBIR involvement from start-up in 1986 until the firm outgrew the program with the acquisition of the satellite networking business of Scientific-Atlanta, Inc in 2000, ViaSat, Inc was - at its outset (and still is) engaged in the design, production, and marketing of satellite and other wireless communication, and networking systems for government and commercial customers. Firm early used SBIR dollars to develop in-house manufacturing capability. That founding team still occupy senior management positions in the firm. Publicly traded since 1996, the companys Government Systems division now develops and produces Internet protocol (IP) based government communications systems, including tactical radio and information distribution systems that enable real-time collection and dissemination of video and data using transmission links between command centers, communications node, s, and air defense systems; information security and assurance products, which provide IP-based Type 1 and high assurance Internet protocol encryption compliant encryption solutions to communicate information over networks and store data on computers and storage devices; and government satellite communication systems, such as portable and fixed broadband modems, terminals, network access control systems, and antenna systems. The Commercial Networks division of ViaSat develops and produces various satellite communication systems and ground networking equipment - offering various network systems and modems for satellite broadband access; antenna systems for terrestrial and satellite applications, such as geo-special imagery, mobile satellite communication, Ka-band gateways, and other multi-band antennas; enterprise very small aperture terminal networks and products; and mobile broadband satellite communication systems. It also provides satellite networking systems design and technology development, including the analysis, design, and specification of satellites and ground systems, ASIC and MMIC design and production, and wide area network compression for enterprise networks. The companys Satellite Services segment provides wholesale and retail broadband services; mobile broadband service; and managed broadband service, which use terrestrial and satellite connections. The firm has engaged in a fairly active strategy of supporting growth through acquisition and now maintained a world-wide presence. ____ I In October 2022 it was announced that L3Harris Technologies had agreed to acquire Viasats tactical data link business for $1.96 billion. The sale of Link 16, it was suggested, would allow Viasat to invest in its satellite business and increase its focus on space-based networks
