Viasat Expands Velaris Ecosystem with L2 Aviation for Advanced Air Mobility

This article is based on an official press release from Viasat.

On May 5, 2026, global satellite communications leader Viasat Inc. announced a strategic expansion of its Velaris ecosystem. According to a company press release, L2 Aviation has officially joined the network through Galaxy 1 Communications. This tripartite Partnerships aims to accelerate the deployment of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) by integrating satellite connectivity into certified Avionics architectures.

For the AAM sector, the focus is rapidly shifting from proving that electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft can fly to ensuring they can operate safely and legally within regulated airspace. As noted in the official announcement, achieving this scale requires highly reliable, certified communication systems for command and control.

By bringing L2 Aviation into the fold, Viasat and Galaxy 1 are directly addressing the rigorous airworthiness standards demanded by aviation regulators such as the FAA and EASA. We see this collaboration as a critical step in moving the industry from technical feasibility demonstrations to routine, commercial flights.

Bridging the Certification Gap in Advanced Air Mobility

The AAM and UAS sectors have spent recent years successfully demonstrating the technical viability of next-generation aircraft. However, the next major hurdle is scaling these operations safely. According to the Viasat press release, this requires moving beyond basic connectivity to deliver systems that meet strict regulatory standards for airspace integration.

The Role of the Velaris Ecosystem

Velaris is Viasat’s dedicated global satellite connectivity network designed specifically for uncrewed and emerging aircraft. It provides the essential operational data links and command-and-control capabilities required for safe flight. The Velaris ecosystem connects service, integration, and connectivity partners to help operators transition from early deployments to fully compliant operations.

In March 2026, Galaxy 1 Communications partnered with Viasat to expand Velaris using a Distribution Partner-as-a-Service (DPaaS) model. Rather than acting as a traditional distributor, Galaxy 1 provides a managed operational layer that handles provisioning, billing, compliance oversight, and integration. Galaxy 1 brings over 20 years of expertise in managed satellite connectivity and secure IoT enablement to the table.

Integrating Decades of Avionics Expertise

L2 Aviation brings nearly 30 years of experience in avionics design, engineering, certification, manufacturing, and installation to the partnership. The company has a long history of delivering safety-critical aircraft modifications across commercial, business, cargo, and military fleets, specializing in Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) development.

In this new collaboration, L2 Aviation will apply its expertise to support the integration and certification of satellite communications for UAS and AAM platforms. This ensures that the connectivity hardware meets the strict airworthiness and certification standards required for routine flights.

Industry Perspectives

Executives from all three companies emphasized the importance of certification and scalability in the official release, noting that the industry must move beyond capability demonstrations.

“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. Bringing L2 Aviation into the Velaris ecosystem through G1 reflects that shift from proving concepts to building operational capability. Their experience strengthens how Velaris supports the next phase of AAM deployment, where safety, certification, and scalability are immediate priorities.”
, Joel Klooster, SVP Aircraft Operations and Safety at Viasat

“Advanced Air Mobility 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. 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.”
, Tony Bailey, President and Chief Operating Officer at L2 Aviation

“Advancing safe, scalable UAV and AAM operations requires more than just connectivity, it demands a fully integrated, certifiable ecosystem. 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. Their 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.”
, Gino Jensen, Chief Technology Officer at Galaxy 1 Communications

Looking Ahead

AirPro News analysis

We observe that the central theme of this development is the transition from innovation to regulation. While engineering a flying taxi or an advanced drone is a monumental technical achievement, securing the legal certification to fly these vehicles over populated areas requires bulletproof, certified communication systems. This partnership directly addresses what we identify as the “certification bottleneck” in the AAM industry.

Furthermore, this announcement highlights the power of ecosystems in emerging aviation sectors. No single company can launch the AAM industry alone. Viasat provides the satellite network infrastructure, Galaxy 1 delivers the operational and management framework, and L2 Aviation supplies the physical, certified integration into the aircraft. The rapid succession of the March 2026 Viasat-Galaxy 1 agreement and this May 2026 addition of L2 Aviation demonstrates significant momentum in building out the necessary infrastructure for the future of flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Viasat Velaris?

Velaris is a global satellite connectivity network developed by Viasat specifically for uncrewed and emerging aircraft. It provides essential command-and-control data links required for safe and regulated operations.

Why is L2 Aviation’s involvement significant?

L2 Aviation brings nearly 30 years of avionics certification expertise to the Velaris ecosystem. Their involvement is crucial for ensuring that AAM communication systems meet the strict safety and airworthiness standards required by aviation regulators like the FAA and EASA.

What role does Galaxy 1 Communications play?

Galaxy 1 acts as a managed operational layer through a Distribution Partner-as-a-Service (DPaaS) model. They handle the complexities of provisioning, billing, compliance oversight, and integration for the Velaris network.

Sources

• Viasat Official Press Release