LAS VEGAS, Nov. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- NBAA 2015 - ViaSat Booth # C7022 and Jet Aviation Booth # C11216 ) - ViaSat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global broadband services and technology company, and Jet Aviation St. Louis, today announced they are partnering to develop the first-ever hybrid Ku-/Ka-band radome for Gulfstream's large cabin business jets, starting with the Gulfstream G550. The agreement covers collaboration on both the new dual-band radome and associated Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) to ensure Gulfstream aircraft equipped with the new hybrid system can access the fastest, most robust satellite-based in-cabin internet system available.

The agreement leverages ViaSat's expertise in delivering fast broadband connectivity equipment and service to today's aviation market and Jet Aviation's experience in the installation of satellite systems and associated in-cabin networks. ViaSat has already developed and deployed a fuselage-mounted hybrid Ku-/Ka-band radome to the commercial and government aviation markets based on its fuselage-mounted Ka-band and Ku-/Ka-bands shipsets. ViaSat, in working with Jet Aviation St. Louis, will expand its advanced aviation materials and fabrication IP to build this tail-mounted Ku-/Ka-band radome. The radome will support both ViaSat's 30 cm Ku-band antenna and its advanced Ka-band antenna separately or in a dual configuration.

"We are enabling business aviation operators to protect their satcom investments for in-service aircraft while providing them the equipment needed for a next-generation cabin experience," said Ken Peterman, senior vice president and general manager, ViaSat. "Having Jet Aviation St. Louis as a partner brings us the knowledge and capabilities of a world recognized leader in aircraft completion and avionics installation. They understand satellite systems and have complementary skills in designing in-cabin networks."

"We are seeing high demand from existing customers that want to deploy ViaSat's global high-capacity internet service for business applications like Voice over IP, VPN connectivity and high-definition conference calls," said David Loso, Avionics Sales, Jet Aviation St. Louis. "By collaborating with ViaSat on the Ku-/Ka-band radome and STC, we can ensure Gulfstream business jet passengers stay connected no matter where they fly. We also look forward to leveraging our experience with tail-mounted systems to potentially shorten the installation time for this shipset to help meet increasing demand."

Today, ViaSat delivers a powerful in-flight internet experience to the business aviation industry leveraging its global satellite network. The Company offers both Ku- and Ka-band service covering more than 90% of the world's most popular flight paths to ensure an optimal user experience over the most congested flight routes. Available to commercial airline passengers since 2013 and for business aviation in 2015, ViaSat's award winning Ka-band service leverages ViaSat's leadership in high-capacity Ka-band satellite technology. Since 2008, ViaSat has been providing business aviation the highest performing satellite connectivity service on its worldwide Ku-band network. For more information on ViaSat's high-speed internet service for business aviation, visit: https://www.viasat.com/services/business-aviation.

Availability
ViaSat and Jet Aviation St. Louis will bring the first Ku-/Ka-band radome and STC to the business aviation market in 3Q 2016.

About ViaSat
ViaSat, Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT) keeps the world connected. As a global broadband services and technology company, ViaSat ensures consumers, businesses, governments and military personnel have communications access - anywhere - whether on the ground or in-flight. The Company's innovations in designing highest-capacity satellites and secure ground infrastructure and terminal technologies coupled with its international network of managed Wi-Fi hotspots enable ViaSat to deliver a best available network that extends the reach and accessibility of broadband internet service, globally. For more information visit ViaSat at: www.viasat.com, or follow the Company on social media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

About Jet Aviation St. Louis
Jet Aviation St. Louis is a full-service aircraft maintenance, modifications and completions provider certified to AS9110B, ISO 140001:2004 and OHSAS 18001:2007 standards. The company employs more than 800 people at its St. Louis Downtown Airport location. Jet Aviation St. Louis has in-house design and engineering departments, along with on-site cabinetry, upholstery, composite, avionics, sheet metal, and paint shops. Jet Aviation St. Louis is a Bombardier, Embraer and Gulfstream authorized service center and a Dassault Falcon and Hawker center of expertise. It also is an authorized service center for GE, Rolls-Royce and Honeywell engines. The location also offers FBO services. For more information, visit www.jetaviation.com/stlouis.

Jet Aviation, a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, was founded in Switzerland in 1967 and is one of the leading business aviation services companies in the world. Close to 4,500 employees cater to client needs from more than 25 airport facilities throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North and South America. The company provides maintenance, completions and refurbishment, engineering, FBO and fuel services, along with aircraft management, charter services, aircraft sales and personnel services. Jet Aviation's European and U.S. aircraft management and charter divisions jointly operate a fleet of more than 250 aircraft. Please visit www.jetaviation.com and follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/jetaviation. More information about General Dynamics is available online at www.generaldynamics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward looking statements include statements about the success of the Ku-/Ka-band products and services delivered to Jet Aviation St. Louis and the timing of bringing the first Ku-/Ka-band radome and STC to the business aviation market. Readers are cautioned that actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ include: 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 general aviation industry generally. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in ViaSat's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including ViaSat's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. ViaSat undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

Copyright © 2015 ViaSat, Inc. All rights reserved. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners. ViaSat is a registered trademark of ViaSat Inc.

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SOURCE Jet Aviation St. Louis