WASHINGTON — Viasat announced June 27 that it has received an order for eight satellite communications terminals for the Spanish military’s maritime patrol aircraft. The contract, for an undisclosed amount, is for Viasat’s multi-band terminals, which will be integrated into Spain’s fleet of C295 maritime surveillance aircraft.
The California-based satellite operator will supply the GAT-5530, short for Global Aero Terminal 5530, a hybrid Ka- and Ku-band aviation satellite communications terminal designed to communicate with constellations in different orbits and frequencies. The terminals on the C295 tactical transport aircraft will connect to commercial satellites, as well as Spain's next-generation military constellation, SpainSat NG, currently under development.
SpainSat NG is Spain's next military communications satellite system for government and defense use. The system consists of two satellites scheduled for launch in late 2024 or 2025, intended to replace the existing Spainsat and XTAR-EUR satellites.
Viasat will work with Airbus Defence and Space to integrate the terminals onto the C295 aircraft. Airbus is acting as prime contractor for both the C295 platform and the SpainSat NG satellites. In December, the Spanish Ministry of Defence ordered 16 C295 aircraft for $1.8 billion.
The GAT-5530 terminals support all ITU Ku and Ka bands, including military Ka band, as well as multi-orbit communications with systems in geostationary, medium and highly elliptical orbits.
This contract follows a similar agreement with the Irish Army Air Corps, to which Viasat supplies two GAT-5530 terminals for its C295 maritime patrol aircraft.
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