Viasat unveils Flipper-based manpack L-TAC system

The Viasat manpack L-TAC beyond line-of-sight system seen on display in London on 28 January 2025. A separate Commcrete HTS-100 Flipper can be seen on the desk beside it. (Janes/Giles Ebbutt)

Viasat showcased the latest version of its dismounted soldier beyond line-of-sight (BLOS) solution using its L-band tactical (L-TAC) satellite service at SAE Media Group's Mobile Deployable Communications conference held in London on 28 and 29 January.

The company aims to broaden its customer base for dismounted communications with the L-TAC system converting a conventional very-high-frequency (VHF) or ultra-high-frequency (UHF) tactical radio to use L-band satellite communications (satcom).

Originally launched in 2023 as the Inmarsat BGAN (Broadband Global Area Network) Patrol, prior to the acquisition of Inmarsat by Viasat, using a BGAN, Inmarsat's satellite network, class 3 and a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) omnidirectional satcom antenna, the system has since evolved. It now uses a Commcrete Flipper L-TAC frequency converter with its associated antenna.

The Flipper used in the latest manpack solution is the handheld HTS-100, which weighs 230 g including the antenna, although other versions for vehicle, headquarters, maritime, or aeronautical use are also available. The HTS-100 Flipper is integrated with a Glenair Star-Pan power and data hub, which also integrates the radio, an end-user device (a data terminal), and a separate power supply.

Daan Ruhe, Viasat global product specialist for L-TAC, told Janes that with a two-channel radio such as the Harris AN/PRC-163 it is possible to cross-band the channels, with one on the terrestrial net and the other on the L-band. He added that the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) battle management application has been integrated into the system. TAK is generally the application of choice for dismounted personnel.