Viasat Wins $4B U.S. Space Force Contract for Dual-Band Satellite System

Event summary

  • Viasat awarded a prime contract by the U.S. Space Force to build, launch, and deliver the first of a proliferated fleet of small, maneuverable geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO) satellites under the Protected Tactical SATCOM-Global (PTS-G) program Swarm 1 Delivery Order.
  • The PTS-G program has an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) ceiling value of $4B across program awardees.
  • Viasat’s Space and Mission Systems (SMS) team will produce and deliver a dual-band X/Ka-band mini-GEO, maneuverable satellite, and provide ground stations and operations support.
  • The contract includes five years of operations and sustainment services for the satellite, inclusive of tracking, telemetry, and command (TT&C), satellite and network operations, and cybersecurity requirements.
  • Initial operating capability is expected no earlier than 2029.

The big picture

The PTS-G program is a cornerstone of the U.S. Space Force’s strategy to use commercial baseline designs to deploy a proliferated constellation of agile GEO satellites for secure, resilient, anti-jam communications. This contract reinforces Viasat’s role as a key player in the broader transformation of how the U.S. Space Force acquires and deploys satellite communications capabilities, emphasizing speed, competition, and commercial technology integration to meet evolving threats.

What we're watching

Execution Risk
How Viasat will manage the production, launch, and delivery of the dual-band satellite system under the PTS-G program, including the timeline for achieving initial operating capability by 2029.
Strategic Positioning
Whether Viasat can sustain its unique position as both an end-to-end satellite system manufacturer and operator for the U.S. Space Force, expanding its role as a partner for U.S. and global allies.
Technological Integration
The pace at which Viasat integrates cutting-edge technology developed for the ViaSat-3 fleet into the PTS-G mini-GEO satellite architecture to ensure rapid, cost-effective deployment.