Satellite communications company Viasat Inc. is bringing L2 Aviation into its Velaris ecosystem via Galaxy 1 Communications, adding advanced avionics integration and certification expertise to AAM and uncrewed aviation.

Until now, the AAM sector has largely focused on technical feasibility demonstrations. Scaling operations safely, however, depends on embedding connectivity into certified avionics architectures that can operate within regulated airspace. By bringing L2 Aviation into the Velaris ecosystem, Viasat aims to further address that gap.

L2 will support the integration and certification of satellite communications (satcom) for uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and AAM platforms as they move from demonstration to deployment.

Viasat Velaris provides satellite connectivity designed for uncrewed and emerging aircraft, enabling command-and-control and other operational data links. The ecosystem connects connectivity, integration and service partners to support operators moving from early deployments to compliant and scalable operations.

The development follows the announcement in March that Galaxy 1 Communications is collaborating with Viasat to support delivery of Velaris across the sector. Galaxy 1 is extending the reach of Velaris through its Distribution Partner-as-a-Service (DPaaS) model and bringing additional partners, including L2 Aviation, into the ecosystem. The model provides a managed operational layer covering provisioning, billing, compliance oversight and integration within a unified framework.

“Right now the industry is focused on what it will take to enable routine, regulated AAM operations, so it is clear that certification ready connectivity and avionics integration must advance together,” says Joel Klooster, SVP aircraft operations and safety at Viasat. “Bringing L2 Aviation into the Velaris ecosystem through G1 reflects that shift from proving concepts to building operational capability. Its experience strengthens how Velaris supports the next phase of AAM deployment, where safety, certification and scalability are immediate priorities.”

“AAM will not scale on capability alone. It will scale when that capability is engineered into certified, operational systems that regulators trust and operators can rely on every day,” says Tony Bailey, president and chief operating officer at L2 Aviation. “Our role within the Velaris ecosystem is to integrate satellite connectivity into avionics architectures that meet real-world certification standards. Working alongside Viasat Inc. and Galaxy 1 Communications, we are focused on delivering systems that are certifiable, scalable and ready to support routine AAM and uncrewed operations.”

“Advancing safe, scalable UAV and AAM operations requires more than just connectivity; it demands a fully integrated, certifiable ecosystem,” adds Gino Jensen, chief technology officer at Galaxy 1 Communications. “Our programme is focused on delivering exactly that, combining resilient multi-network communications with the operational frameworks needed for regulated flight. Bringing on board L2 Aviation as a partner is a significant step forward. Its deep expertise in avionics integration and certification strengthens our ability to support airworthiness, compliance and system interoperability, helping accelerate the path from innovation to real-world, commercially viable deployment.”