U.S. Army Blue Force Tracker network. Photo: U.S. Army

The Defense Information Systems Agency awarded Viasat a $153.5 million contract for engineering support services for the U.S. Army Blue Force Tracker-2 system. 

The award announced Aug. 22 by the U.S. Department of Defense is a non-competitive, cost-plus-fixed-fee, and cost contract with a one-year base period of performance with four one-year options. The contract is funded by fiscal 2024 other procurement Army funds.

Blue Force Tracking is a situational awareness network in place for more than 20 years that provides information on friendly and hostile forces. BFT installations combine a computer, satellite terminal and satellite antenna, GPS receiver, command-and-control software, and mapping software. 

Viasat’s L-band mobile transceivers are integrated on BFT2 tactical platforms. According to Viasat, the next-generation BFT2 system provides: faster position location information (PLI) refresh rates; timely command & control (C2) communications; improved network efficiency; and a reduction in total operational expenditure. 

Viasat said that under the contract, the operator will provide engineering services expertise and deliver operational and technical support for the BFT network. This work will include the maintenance and configuration of hardware and software packages, as well as additional support for technology hardware and software development, updates and modifications aligned with BFT network modernization objectives.

In 2010, Viasat received an IDIQ contract award to provide next generation of high-speed, high-capacity BFT equipment to the U.S. Army as part of the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below (FBCB2) Program. Viasat has since secured multiple contract awards to support the BFT program.

“Viasat is honored to continue its history of providing support for the global L-Band BFT network and systems, and the continued modernization of how critical situational awareness is made available across the tactical edge at scale,” said David Schmolke, vice president of Mission Connections and Cybersecurity, Viasat Government. “Our team will deliver the engineering and networking services, and technology innovation required to continue evolving the BFT network operations and capability. We have a deep understanding of the BFT mission and the information warfighters need to make real-time decisions that support operations and save lives.”

This story was updated on Sept. 5 with more information from Viasat.