Viasat announced that it will integrate its dual-band broadband terminal GAT-5530 into Spain’s C295 maritime patrol aircraft in collaboration with the airplane’s supplier, Airbus.
The joint effort aims to provide the Spanish C295 MPA fleet with secure and reliable satellite communication capability for mission support using the sovereign, next-generation SpainSat NG satellites. The mission needs the satellite connectivity would address include command and control enhancement and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance executions.
The Spanish Ministry of Defence placed an order valued at about $1.8 billion for a fleet of 16 C295 in the MPA and maritime surveillance aircraft configuration, according to an Airbus announcement in December.
Victor Farah, Viasat Government senior vice president, conveyed the company’s fulfillment in expanding its work with Airbus on C295, noting, “Our connectivity solutions are designed to support modern military operation requirements with advanced, secure and resilient satellite communications.”
The California-based satellite communication company has a similar Airbus collaboration task involving the Irish Air Corps’ C295.