WASHINGTON — Satellite communications firm Viasat announced Sept. 5 it has been awarded a $153 million contract to modernize the U.S. Army’s Blue Force Tracker (BFT) network, a system used for real-time positioning of friendly forces.
The “blue” in the name refers to the color typically used to represent friendly forces on military maps, as opposed to red for enemy forces.
The five-year contract, managed by the Defense Information Services Agency, will provide technical support for the U.S. Army Project Management Mission Command BFT program. This latest agreement extends Viasat’s two-decade-long involvement with the BFT network.
BFT utilizes GPS technology to track troop and vehicle locations, allowing soldiers and commanders to view updated positions on screens in vehicles and aircraft. The system leverages Viasat’s global L-band network, which is used for emergency data transmission and voice communications.
Viasat’s L-band network technology, originally developed for military applications, has since found broader market applications.
Before Viasat’s acquisition of Inmarsat, the latter also played a significant role in supporting the BFT network, securing a $410 million five-year contract extension in 2022 to provide satellite connectivity.
The BFT system has been operational since 2002. The newer version, BFT-2, operates across sea, air, and ground platforms.
Under the new contract, Viasat will provide engineering services, operational support, and technical assistance for the BFT program.