Viasat and TrellisWare will promote their new collaborative approach at the Military Communications and Information Systems (MilCIS) conference and expo in Canberra, Australia, between Nov. 15-17, 2022.
The companies first announced this strategic collaboration and vision for a holistic offering during the Oct. 4 Land Forces exhibition.
Tactical communications solutions
Together, Viasat and TrellisWare aim to offer the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) ‘best-of-breed’ resilient tactical communications solutions.
Viasat has a strong footprint in Australia and is currently part of the Boeing team bid for the ADF’s Joint Project 9102 Australian Defence Satellite Communications System.
Command, Control, Communications, and Computers
The company’s alignment with TrellisWare opens up a variety of emerging opportunities to support land-based C4
However, the company’s alignment with TrellisWare opens up a variety of emerging opportunities to support land-based Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4) in Australia and New Zealand, as well as the wider Oceania region.
Sandy Taylor, Director of Business Development and Sales for Viasat Australia, said the close collaboration with California-based TrellisWare will allow Viasat to 'elaborate and explore a wide variety of opportunities' in both the Australian and New Zealand defence markets. Both companies bring substantial experience and technical expertise to the table.
End-user device security
“For 20 years, Viasat has been supporting the ADF with tactical communications capabilities, narrowband satellite communications, and the provision of strategic SATCOM services,” said Sandy Taylor, adding “We’ve provided narrowband UHF and ground terminals for Joint Project 2008 and we’re also the incumbent provider of end-user device security through our Mobile Dynamic Defense (MDD) solution.”
Addressing urgent communications requirements
Darren Bradley, TrellisWare Technology’s Director of International Business Development, also reaffirmed this new, closer collaboration between the two companies for Australia and New Zealand.
“Looking at the opportunities in this region, there are many areas where TrellisWare and Viasat provide complementary capabilities that address urgent communications requirements in a more integrated way. This strategic collaboration enables this focus,” said Darren Bradley.
Modular and turnkey connectivity solutions
TSM Spirit™, TSM Shadow™, and TSM Ghost™ MANET radios can offer a more cost-effective solution
Viasat Australia’s collaboration with TrellisWare anticipates offering the ADF and NZDF flexible, modular, and turnkey connectivity solutions to satisfy even the most complex of C3 requirements in the land domain.
TrellisWare’s family of TSM Spirit™, TSM Shadow™, and TSM Ghost™ MANET radios can offer a more cost-effective solution in comparison to more “exquisite and expensive” software-defined radios currently available on the market, Taylor said.
Situation awareness tools
“The Australian army is investing in tactical dismounted communications and situation awareness tools. Together with TrellisWare, we are offering a more flexible, commercial off-the-shelf solution that can be tailored to meet specific requirements,” continued Sandy Taylor.
Body-worn soldier technology
Additionally, Viasat is rapidly exploring a range of capabilities that will expand support of tactical communications, including things like body-worn soldier technology and free space optics. These types of solutions could combine with TrellisWare for a complementary capability with their specialised MANET waveforms and handheld radios.
“With the potential synergy in capability we could have that solution that goes from the soldier to the satellite,” adds Sandy Taylor.
