Viasat Secured $42 Million Marine Corps Contract
The U.S. Space Force awarded a seven-year satellite communications task order to Viasat to support the Marine Corps.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Military
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Viasat received a $42 million task order to provide managed global satellite services to the U.S. Marine Corps. The award is part of a larger $307 million contract managed by the U.S. Space Force Commercial Satellite Communications Office.
Why it matters
The managed satellite services are intended to bolster mission performance and ensure network resiliency for the Marine Corps. Viasat will support these operations through its subsidiary Inmarsat Government, Inc. using various frequency bands.
The seven-year contract provides continuous network and security operations support on a 24x7x365 basis. Viasat delivers these services across L-, Ku, and Ka-band frequencies to facilitate multi-orbit connectivity.
The players
Viasat
A global communications company based in Carlsbad, California, that provides satellite and wireless networking services.
U.S. Marine Corps
The branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for expeditionary and amphibious operations.
U.S. Space Force
The space service branch of the United States Armed Forces that organizes, trains, and equips space forces.
Inmarsat Government, Inc.
A subsidiary of Viasat that specializes in providing secure satellite communications solutions to government and defense agencies.
The details
Viasat provides global connectivity through its terminal solutions and satellite infrastructure, teaming with multiple providers to maintain high-capacity support. The system is designed to scale alongside future mission applications and integrated technologies to meet evolving military requirements.
Timeline
September 23, 2026: Viasat announced the award of the contract.
May 2023: Viasat completed the acquisition of Inmarsat.
Political Context
Opponents of the current procurement model argue that reliance on commercial providers for mission-critical satellite infrastructure introduces potential security vulnerabilities in the supply chain. Dissenting voices often emphasize the need for sovereign, military-owned hardware rather than outsourced network operations.
This contract does not change service fees for the public, as it is a specific defense procurement agreement. Taxpayers support these investments through the federal budget to ensure the military maintains modern, resilient communication capabilities.
The takeaway
The integration of commercial satellite capacity into military operations highlights a long-term shift toward leveraging private sector innovation for national defense. Future mission readiness will increasingly depend on the scalability of these integrated multi-orbit satellite technologies.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest defense technology initiatives in the Military section.
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