Viasat to Integrate Hybrid Ku/Ka SATCOM on NOAA’s Next-Gen C-130J Hurricane Hunters
VSAT•Lockheed Martin selected Viasat to deliver its Hybrid SATCOM Approach for the line-fit integration on two NOAA C-130J “Hurricane Hunter” aircraft, with contract options for additional platforms. The ARINC-compliant Ku/Ka broadband integration, expected in service by 2030, streamlines factory installation and enables real-time environmental data transmission in extreme weather.
1. Contract Award and Scope
Lockheed Martin awarded Viasat a subcontract to equip two specially modified C-130J Hurricane Hunter aircraft with its Hybrid SATCOM Approach, with prime contract options for additional platforms.
2. Hybrid SATCOM Integration Details
The solution integrates Viasat’s ARINC 791/792-compliant baseplate and dual-band Ku/Ka broadband antenna into the C-130J airframe during factory line-fit, reducing time, cost and risk compared with post-delivery modifications.
3. Service Timeline and Future Expansion
The next-generation C-130Js are scheduled to enter service by 2030, and the open modular design enables future frequency band additions and multi-orbit satellite connectivity without structural rework.
4. Strategic Implications for Viasat
This first formal line-fit implementation of the Hybrid SATCOM Approach on the C-130J platform validates Viasat’s open-architecture strategy, bolsters its government SATCOM pipeline and enhances real-time data transmission for critical environmental missions.
