Enerdyne Programmable EnerLinksTMIII Advanced Data Link for Tactical UAV Systems Accommodates Program Specifications for Interoperability and Mission-Specific Needs for Performance

Compliant with NAVAIR STUAS/Tier II Scheduled Requirements for L-, S-, C- or Ku-Band

EL CAJON, Calif.--(EON:Enhanced Online News)--Enerdyne Technologies Inc. will introduce and demonstrate an advanced new Command and Control (C2) and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) digital data link for Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems (TUAS) at next week’s annual AUVSI conference and exhibition at the San Diego Convention Center. Enerdyne, a ViaSat company, will be demonstrating its new EnerLinksIII system in the ViaSat booth #1421 at AUVSI.

“The TUAS industry is transitioning from analog to digital ISR links, in a complex background of the DoD mandate for interoperability via a Common Data Link (CDL), and an operational need for greater performance than CDL systems offer”

The new full-duplex system is software configurable for greater flexibility to meet joint forces interoperability requirements, and to support mission-specific needs for advanced performance and operation. The programmable architecture also protects the data link investment by adapting to data link life cycle changes or new technology requirements.

“The TUAS industry is transitioning from analog to digital ISR links, in a complex background of the DoD mandate for interoperability via a Common Data Link (CDL), and an operational need for greater performance than CDL systems offer,” noted Steve Gardner, VP and general manager at Enerdyne. “The EnerLinksIII system will provide an enduring data link architecture to accommodate ongoing changes and diverse operational requirements.”

In-theatre frequency management and efficient spectrum use have emerged as critical issues for all line-of-sight ISR applications. For example, many TUAS data link systems operate in bands used by other military communications or even commercial bands. The EnerLinksIII multi-band system can be tailored to local frequency management requirements. The initial release operates in L- and S-band, with upper and lower C-band available in late 2008. Ku-band will be available well in advance of the current schedule for STUAS (NAVAIR small tactical UAV program).

The EnerLinksIII data link was designed with a total commitment to efficient use of scarce spectrum resources. The continuously variable bit rate modem (50 kbps to 11 Mbps) enables each mission to use exactly the bandwidth it needs, and by using waveforms and digital selectivity design techniques shared by the cellular industry, the EnerLinksIII system is able to fit far more ISR links in a given amount of spectrum than any other video data link system. Two integral H.264 compression engines allow simultaneous transmission of two high-quality full frame rate video streams using just 2 Mbps each.

A number of other features distinguish the EnerLinksIII system from competing data links:

• STANAG 4586 compliant KLV metadata along with H.264 video in an industry-standard MPEG2 transport stream for unicast or multicast transmission over any IP network
• H.264 video and KLV metadata time alignment
• Programmable interoperability with legacy analog systems and backwards compatibility with the field-proven EnerLinks^TMII system
• Waveform flexibility to reach the horizon using small tactical RF and antenna equipment
• Maintains rich I/O capabilities of EnerLinksII to operate as an IP gateway or bridge between an aircraft network and ground equipment using either UDP or TCP protocols

The software-defined EnerLinksIII platform can be modified to meet the NAVAIR Joint Interoperability Profile for its STUAS / Tier II program and can readily respond to other published profiles such as the Army ONE System.

Enerdyne will be demonstrating this product in the ViaSat booth #1421 at AUVSI. For more information and pricing, contact [e-mail].

Enerdyne Technologies, based in El Cajon, California, is a wholly owned subsidiary of ViaSat Inc. (Nasdaq: VSAT). Enerdyne provides digital video data link systems for unmanned and manned airborne and other mobile platforms within the defense and intelligence industries and also provides advanced technologies in digital video compression and high performance, ultra-reliable RF transport.

ViaSat Inc. Safe Harbor Statement

Portions of this release, particularly statements about the performance and deliveries of ViaSat/Enerdyne products and technology, and the enduring data link architecture, may contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. ViaSat wishes to caution you that there are some factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including but not limited to: contractual problems, product defects, manufacturing issues or delays, regulatory issues, technologies not being developed according to anticipated schedules, or that do not perform according to expectations; and increased competition and other factors affecting the telecommunications industry generally. The company refers you to the documents it files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the section titled Risk Factors in the company's Form 10-K, which contain and identify other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in our projections or forward-looking statements. Stockholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements.