Navy picks ViaSat for $479M JTRS contract

The Navy has awarded ViaSat $478.6 million contract for Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS) Joint Tactical Radio Systems (JTRS) terminals.

The terminal is a four-channel software defined radio that delivers existing Link 16 with concurrent multi-netting-4 and tactical air navigation functionality, as well as three channels for future growth, including JTRS advanced networking waveforms such as tactical targeting network technology, multifunction advanced data link, intra-flight data link and other advanced networking waveforms, according to the Department of Defense contract announcement.

The contract, with the Navy's Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, covers U.S. military purchases as well as Austria, Chile, Finland, Israel, Jordan, Japan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, NATO and all NATO nations.

The work is scheduled to be completed by May 2020.

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