Under the $3.97 million Air Force task order, California-based ViaSat will modify the JCS with the integration of the link 16 tactical data link. Use of the Air Force JCS is an effort to eliminate the expense of in-flight testing protocols through the simulated analysis of communication system performance.

ViaSat officials say in addition to the link 16 modification to the JCS, the company also will expand the simulation system capabilities with new operating modes, navigation and intelligence signals, among other technologies.

"Link 16 is the preferred tactical data link between coalition forces, and this development increases the utility of the JCS by adding this key communication signal to the radio frequency simulation environment," Greg Norton, ViaSat simulation systems group program manager, said in a statement.