A fast-response cutter of the USCG,  one of several classes of cutters with KVH’s mini-VSAT broadband systems onboard. Photo: KVH

[Via Satellite 01-14-2014] As part of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Small Cutter Connectivity (SCC) program, KVH Industries has surpassed the 100-vessel mark in its 10-year contract to supply the next-generation satellite communications solution for the USCG’s fleet of small cutters (a USCG designation given for any vessel exceeding 65 feet in length). To date, KVH’s TracPhone V7 systems have been deployed on 105 USCG vessels across eight different classes of cutters. The contract for hardware, airtime, and support worth $42 million was first announced in September 2010.

KVH systems are now in use on cutters in all USCG districts in the continental U.S., as well as overseas in the Persian Gulf, Guam, and Puerto Rico for USCG operations including drug interdiction, maritime border security, anti-piracy tasks, search and rescue operations, and humanitarian efforts. The low latency of the KVH service is particularly important to the fast and efficient processing of biometric information from vessel to shore, a key to immigration and law enforcement activities.

The SCC program is part of the U.S. Coast Guard’s initiative to upgrade the legacy cutter fleet’s commercial satellite systems in order to provide improved communication capabilities for voice and data transmission and reception, as well as improving interoperability with Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense partners. Supporting KVH in this multi-year effort are network partner ViaSat and logistics partner Mackay Communications.