Viasat’s AN/PRC-161 BATS-D Handheld Link 16 Radio Receives NSA Authorization for Use by International Military Forces
AN/PRC-161 BATS-D Radio Can Significantly Strengthen Coordination and Communications between U.S., Five Eyes Partners and Coalition Forces Operating at the Tactical Edge
CARLSBAD, Calif., August 22, 2018 — Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, today announced its Battlefield Awareness and Targeting System – Dismounted (BATS-D) device, known to the United States Department of Defense as the AN/PRC-161, is now authorized by the National Security Agency (NSA) for immediate use by Five Eyes (FVEY) partners and coalition forces, worldwide. The Viasat BATS-D radio bridges a critical gap between air and ground forces by providing real-time fused air/ground situational awareness to coordinate and direct forces instantaneously via machine-to-machine interface.
The terminal offers warfighters at the tactical edge secure, reliable access to integrated air and ground data for improved situational awareness capabilities and enhanced close air support communications. Empowered with better communications, warfighters can more rapidly engage enemy targets and reduce the risk of fratricide incidents.
“Viasat has a deep and enduring commitment to working with allies and coalition partners to improve warfighter safety by enhancing mission effectiveness and communications,” said Ken Peterman, president, Government Systems, Viasat. “Viasat’s AN/PRC-161 BATS-D is the world’s first and only handheld Link 16 radio. It is designed to solve the military’s urgent need for a small, secure Link 16 device capable of being employed by a dismounted operator that can seamlessly interoperate between air and ground forces. With NSA authorization we can speed the time to market for how U.S., FVEY and coalition militaries securely communicate and deter threats on the battlefield.”
The patented AN/PRC-161 BATS-D handheld radio is ideal for bringing full Link 16 network access to FVEY Special Operations and Expeditionary Forces. Security innovations in the AN/PRC-161 BATS-D handheld Link 16 radio, including Type 1 encryption, allow for seamless interoperability with other Link 16 radios such as the Multifunctional Information Distribution System Low Volume Terminal (MIDS-LVT), MIDS Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) and KOR-24A Small Tactical Terminal (STT).
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 media at: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.
