ViaSat Inc. said June 30 the U.S. Air Force Cryptologic Systems Group awarded the company a $3.16 million contract to develop cryptographic equipment for the Space Ground Applications in Satellite System program. The program requires ViaSat to demonstrate that terrestrial reprogrammable Type-1 communications security equipment can replace existing and legacy ground equipment.

The Type-1 security system is based on reprogramming the ViaSat KG-250 inline network encryptor with the specific security function required for the telemetry tracking and control ground operating environment, ViaSat said.