Viasat, a Carlsbad, California-based provider of satellite communications and secure networking technologies, has received an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with a ceiling of $450 million from the U.S. Space Force’s Space Systems Command (SSC). The award will support the development, deployment, sustainment, and operation of the Space Data Network Backbone (SDN-B) mission operations center, a critical component of the military’s efforts to establish resilient space-based communications infrastructure supporting Golden Dome for America and Joint Force operations.
The contract includes an initial $115 million task order to support development and scaling of the mission operations center and associated network operations capabilities.
The $450 million represents the maximum value available under the IDIQ contract rather than a guaranteed payment to Viasat. Additional work will depend on future task orders and government requirements.
The award positions Viasat as a network and mission systems integration partner supporting the Space Force’s efforts to establish a more interconnected and resilient military space architecture.
The SDN-B initiative is designed to provide high-capacity, low-latency data transport across multiple satellite networks and orbital environments.
Its architecture will support communications requirements for the U.S. Space Force, Golden Dome for America, and military operations conducted by the Joint Force worldwide.
Supporting The Golden Dome Space Data Network Backbone
The Space Data Network Backbone is a multi-vendor data transport architecture designed to connect and manage communications capabilities across participating space and ground systems.
The network is intended to provide resilient connectivity for military operations that depend on timely access to information collected and transmitted through space-based infrastructure.
Rather than relying on a single satellite operator or communications architecture, SDN-B is designed to integrate multiple providers and network elements.
This approach supports the Space Force’s broader objective of developing open architectures that can incorporate commercial technologies and adapt to changing mission requirements.
Viasat will focus on the mission operations center responsible for supporting network management and integration under government direction.
The center is intended to provide a coordinated view of participating SDN-B network elements, allowing operators to monitor connectivity, network performance, and operational status.
The infrastructure will also support government-directed prioritization of communications resources based on military mission requirements.
$115 Million Initial Task Order
The initial $115 million task order will fund work associated with establishing and scaling the SDN-B mission operations center and its network operations capabilities.
Viasat will apply its experience operating secure satellite communications networks to support the development of an enterprise-level operational infrastructure.
The company’s responsibilities include systems engineering, network integration, operational support, and sustainment activities.
The mission operations center will provide tools to manage participating connectivity services and support a common operational picture of the network.
These capabilities are intended to help military operators understand the status and performance of the communications infrastructure supporting their missions.
The contract also provides a framework for future engineering, operational, and sustainment work as the SDN-B architecture develops.
Additional task orders may support evolving requirements involving network availability, cybersecurity, and resilience.
Systems Engineering And Multi-Orbit Integration
A major component of Viasat’s responsibilities involves systems engineering and integration across space-to-ground communications interfaces.
The company will support the integration of multi-orbit connectivity services, helping participating satellite systems operate within a coordinated network architecture.
Multi-orbit communications can involve satellites operating at different altitudes, each with distinct characteristics involving coverage, latency, and available capacity.
Integrating these services can provide military communications planners with greater flexibility and resilience.
Viasat will also help establish enterprise network operations infrastructure to support the management of data transport services.
These capabilities will operate according to government-directed mission priorities.
The objective is to create an integrated operational environment capable of coordinating communications resources across multiple providers.
Common Operational Picture And Cybersecurity
The mission operations center will support a common operational picture that provides information about network health, status, and performance.
This capability is intended to help operators monitor network conditions and maintain awareness of participating SDN-B elements.
A coordinated operational view can support decisions about communications availability and the allocation of network resources.
Viasat’s responsibilities also include life-cycle engineering and sustainment support.
These activities will be performed according to government requirements and applicable future task orders.
The sustainment effort will address evolving needs involving network availability, operational resilience, and cybersecurity.
Because military communications infrastructure supports mission-critical information exchange, the ability to maintain secure and reliable connectivity is a central objective of the program.
Viasat will use its experience operating large-scale global satellite networks to support these requirements.
Role In Golden Dome And Joint Force Operations
The SDN-B program supports broader military efforts to improve communications between space-based systems and operational forces.
Golden Dome for America is intended to strengthen homeland defense capabilities, including the detection, tracking, and interception of modern aerial and missile threats.
These missions require communications infrastructure capable of transporting information reliably between sensors, command-and-control systems, and other defense assets.
The Space Data Network Backbone is intended to provide part of the data transport architecture supporting those requirements.
By integrating participating connectivity services and supporting coordinated network management, the architecture could help improve information sharing across military systems.
The program also supports Joint Force operations that depend on communications between space-based assets and military units operating across different environments.
Viasat’s contract focuses specifically on the mission operations center and associated network management capabilities rather than the entirety of the Golden Dome program.
Expanding Commercial Technology Integration In Defense Networks
The award reflects the Space Systems Command’s efforts to incorporate commercial networking technologies into military communications infrastructure.
Viasat has extensive experience developing and operating satellite communications networks for government and commercial customers.
The company intends to apply that experience to the SDN-B program through enterprise systems integration, network operations, and long-term sustainment.
The contract supports the government’s approach of combining capabilities from multiple providers within an open architecture.
Such an approach can help defense organizations incorporate new communications technologies as operational requirements evolve.
Viasat’s involvement will include supporting the development of network management tools and operational infrastructure designed to coordinate participating services.
The company will also provide ongoing engineering and operational support consistent with Space Force requirements.
With an initial $115 million task order and a total contract ceiling of $450 million, the award represents a significant opportunity for Viasat within the military space communications market.
The program will contribute to the development of secure, high-capacity data transport capabilities supporting the Space Force, Golden Dome for America, and broader Joint Force missions.
KEY QUOTES
“The Space Data Network Backbone represents a critical leap forward toward a unified, highly resilient and interconnected military space architecture. We are proud to support SSC as the network and mission system integration partner for the MOC effort.”
“This award leverages Viasat’s deep experience operating complex, mission-critical networks. By bringing commercial scale and dual-use innovative technology to support Government capability delivery, we are committed to supporting the Space Force’s effort to field secure, high-capacity data transport for current and future defense missions.”
Craig Miller, President Of Viasat Government
