Android Team Awareness Kit

For other uses, see Atak (disambiguation).

Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) is an Android smartphone geospatial infrastructure and military situation awareness app. It allows for precision targeting, surrounding land formation intelligence, situational awareness, navigation, and data sharing. This Android app is a part of the larger TAK family of products.^[1] ATAK has a plugin architecture which allows developers to add functionality. This extensible plugin architecture that allows enhanced capabilities for specific mission sets (Direct Action, Combat Advising, Law Enforcement, Protection Operations, Border Security, Disaster Response, Off-grid Communications, Precision Mapping and Geotagging).

Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK)

ATAK-CIV logo
ATAK 4.0.0.1-PR connected to a public TAKServer
Developer(s)	Air Force Research Laboratory & Maintained by the TAK Product Center
Initial release	2010; 14 years ago (2010)
Stable release	5.0.0 (TAK.gov) / 20 November 2023; 4 months ago (2023-11-20)
Written in	Java, C, C++
Operating system	Android
Available in	Multilingual
Type	Situational Awareness Software
License	Government off-the-shelf
Website	tak.gov

TAK Server

Logo of TAKServer
Developer(s)	Raytheon BBN Technologies & Maintained by the TAK Product Center
Stable release	4.10.0 / 28 September 2023; 6 months ago (2023-09-28)
Written in	Java
License	Government off-the-shelf
Website	tak.gov/products/tak-server

It enables users to navigate using GPS and geospatial map data overlayed with real-time situational awareness of ongoing events. The ATAK software represents the surrounding area using the military standard APP-6 symbology, and customized symbols such as icons from Google Earth and Google Maps for iconography and the Cursor on Target data format standard for communication.^[2]

Initially created in 2010 by the Air Force Research Laboratory,^[3][4] and based on the NASA WorldWind Mobile codebase its development and deployment grew slowly, then rapidly since 2016.^[5][6]

As of 2020, ATAK has a growing base of 250,000 military and civilian users across numerous public safety agencies and US partner nations, and has seen the addition of 15 United States Department of Defense programs.^[7][8]

Development and usage

ATAK began in August 2010 and was originally based on NASA WorldWind Mobile. The goal was to demonstrate robust information sharing in a mobile format.

In 2013, officials at Draper Laboratory said that the system would be compatible with Android mobile operating systems and could be used for navigation, spatial awareness, and controlling drones.^[9]

On October 14, 2014, U.S. Army Geospatial Center recommended AFRL's Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK), over the world-leader Esri's Commercial Joint Mapping Tool Kit (CJMTK), NASA's World Wind, and the Army's Globe Engine (AGE) for map engine driving the Nett Warrior End User Device. ATAK was selected due to similar capabilities with CJMTK, similar risk, and less than one-third of the total cost.^[10]

According to a January 2016 article in National Defense Magazine, "[ATAK] has already been fielded to AFSOC units".

In September 2015, DARPA reported that ATAK was used in a successful demonstration of the Persistent Close Air Support Program, and is in use by thousands of users.

Polaris integrated its Ground Guidance software into an ATAK Plugin to allow on and off-road routing for mounted and dismounted soldiers, accounting for terrain, weather, enemy activity and equipment load.^[11]

In 2018, USAF Security Forces deployed ATAK at Eglin AFB, Florida.^[12]

The Android Team Awareness Kit or TAK is currently used by thousands of Department of Homeland Security personnel, along with other members of the Homeland Security Enterprise including state and local public safety personnel. It is in various stages of transition across DHS components and is the emerging DHS-wide solution for tactical awareness.

TAK has supported the rescue of over 2,000 people during disaster response for seven major hurricanes (Harvey, Irma, Maria, Florence, Lane, Michael, and Dorian). The capability is also regularly used during daily public safety operations and national security special events like United Nations General Assembly meetings and the Super Bowl.^[13]

ATAK versions

ATAK has various end-user versions:

• ATAK - Civilian (ATAK-CIV) - A distribution controlled but fully-releasable version of the TAK Product line for First Responders, Licensed Commercial Developers. Distribution for ATAK-CIV is through Approved, Government Hosted Sites, Direct Commercial Sales (DCS).^[14] This version has no ITAR capabilities.
• ATAK - Government (ATAK-GOV) - ITAR restricted version of the TAK Product line for USG entities and Foreign Government. Distribution for ATAK-GOV are through Approved, Government Hosted Sites; Direct Commercial Sales (DCS). This version of ATAK has no military (MIL) sensitive capabilities.
• ATAK - Military (ATAK-MIL) - Military Sensitive version of the TAK Product line for US and Foreign Military end-users. Similar to ATAK-GOV, distribution is through Approved, Government Hosted Sites. However, is not available through Direct Commercial Sales (DCS).
• ATAK - Public Release (ATAK-PR) - (Discontinued) Was made available for download on takmaps.com in April 2020. ATAK-PR is publicly releasable version of the TAK Product line for public individuals for public uses. This version of ATAK is not plugin capable. And is only compatible with arm64 based systems due to file size restrictions. End users with armeabi-v7a or x86 devices are to use ATAK-CIV.^[15]
• ATAK - FVEY "Five Eyes" (ATAK-FVEY)

ATAK-CIV

On September 1, 2020 - the TAK Product Center released ATAK-CIV (Android Team Awareness Kit - Civil Use) - Version 4.1.1.0 on Google Play Store.^[16]

Other versions

In addition to the Android version, there is also a Microsoft Windows version (WinTAK), an Apple iOS version under development (iTAK), and finally a Virginia-based military tech firm’s (LucyTAK). WinTAK is an application developed for the Microsoft Windows Operating System which uses maps to allow for precise targeting, intelligence on surrounding land formations, navigation, and generalized situational awareness. It was developed in conjunction with ATAK to provide similar functionality on a Windows platform.

Commercial licensing

In January 2015, AFRL began licensing ATAK through TechLink to U.S. companies, for commercial use to support state/local government uses as well as civilian uses. As of January 2020, one hundred companies have licensed ATAK for commercial uses.^[17] Corona Fire Department is one example of a local public safety agency using ATAK. Corona uses PAR Government's Team Connect platform to leverage ATAK. In civilian use, ATAK is often referred to as Android Team Awareness Kit.

 

Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) Licensing for Tech Transfer & Tech Transition. Briefing. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for Public Release, Case Number 88ABW-2014-1324

Federal Government release

As of March 31, 2020, the civilian version of ATAK, referred to as CivTAK has been approved for "Public Release" by Army Night Vision and is available for download on takmaps.com and subsequently named Android Team Awareness Kit (ATAK) - Civilian.^[15]

License grant

Upon running ATAK-PR 4.0.0.1, the application splash screen shows a statement; "Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.". The license conditions are detailed in the ATAK Software License Agreement found in the Support menu of ATAK.

ATAK PR OBJECT CODE LICENSE GRANT: YOU ARE GRANTED A PERPETUAL, NON-EXCLUSIVE, NO-CHARGE, ROYALTY-FREE RIGHT TO USE, COPY, PUBLISH, AND/OR DISTRIBUTE THE ATAK PR SOFTWARE IN OBJECT CODE FORMAT, AND TO PERMIT PERSONS TO WHOM THE SOFTWARE IS FURNISHED TO DO SO. YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO SELL, REVERSE ENGINEER, DISASSEMBLE, OR DECOMPILE THE ATAK PR SOFTWARE, OR TO PERMIT OTHERS TO DO SO. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY STATED HEREIN, THIS AGREEMENT DOES NOT GRANT YOU ANY INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS IN THE SOFTWARE AND ALL RIGHTS NOT EXPRESSLY GRANTED ARE RESERVED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND/OR THE COPYRIGHT OWNER. IF YOU PUBLISH AND/OR DISTRIBUTE THE ATAK PR SOFTWARE, YOU SHALL PROVIDE A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT AND CORRESPONDING THIRD PARTY LICENSE NOTICES TO THE RECIPIENT OF THE ATAK PR SOFTWARE; YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ALTER THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT.

— Android Team Awareness Kit - Public Release (4.0.0.1) LICENSE.txt

Open source

On August 19, 2020, the source code for the Android Tactical Assault Kit for Civilian Use (ATAK-CIV), the official geospatial-temporal and situational awareness tool used by the US Government, has been released on United States Department of Defense - Defense Digital Service GitHub repository.^[18] ATAK-CIV is managed by the Tactical Assault Kit Configuration Steering Board (TAK CSB) and is designed for used by (US) federal employees.

It is made available to the open source community with the hope that community contributions will improve functionality, add features, and mature this work.^[18]

Users

Americas

•   United States
  • Military
    • United States Special Operations Command^[19]
    • United States Army^[20]
      • United States Army Special Operations Command^[21]
    • United States Air Force^[22]
    • United States National Guard^[23]
    • United States Navy and United States Marine Corps(primarily use APASS and KILSWITCH but instances of ATAK use seen as of 2021)^{[24][25][26][27]}
    • United States Coast Guard^[23]
  • Law Enforcement and Emergency Services
    • United States Department of Homeland Security^[6]
    • United States Secret Service^[6]
    • Federal Bureau of Investigation^[23]
    • U.S. Customs and Border Protection^[23]
    • Immigration and Customs Enforcement^[23]
    • Federal Emergency Management Agency^[23]
    • Albuquerque Fire Rescue
    • Colorado Department of Public Safety
      • Division of Fire Prevention and Control, Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting (CoE)^[28]
    • Corona Fire Department^[29]
    • New York City Police Department^[30]
•   Canada
  • Royal Canadian Mounted Police
    • Emergency Response Team^[31][32]

Europe

•   United Kingdom
  • British Army
    • Special Air Service
    • Special Reconnaissance Regiment
    • Special Forces Support Group
    • Pathfinder Platoon
    • Ranger Regiment
    • 4/73 (Sphinx) Special Observation Post Battery RA
    • The Black Watch
    • The Royal Regiment of Scotland
    • 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards
  • Royal Navy
    • Special Boat Service
    • Royal Marines

^[33]

Asia

•   Philippines
  • Philippine National Police
    • JTF CoViD Shield^[34]

References

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2. "Webztop Solutions". webztop.com.
3. (PDF). Archived from the original on 20 May 2014. Retrieved 20 May 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
4. (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
5. "58--RFI for Mobile Communications Device SOF-NEXTGEN-RADIO - Federal Business Opportunities: Opportunities". www.fbo.gov. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
6. "Snapshot: ATAK increases situational awareness, communication". Department of Homeland Security. 17 November 2017.
7. "ATAK Improves Situational Awareness for California Fire Department". Samsung Business Insights. 16 October 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2019.
8. Archived at Ghostarchive and the : TAK 2020 Offsite. YouTube.
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10. David, Leonard, Kevin L.; Cray (30 September 2014). "File:US Army's Nett Warrior Map Engine Trade Study Report.pdf - Wikimedia Commons" (PDF) – via Wikimedia Commons.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
11. "Juggernaut.Board MFF-T2 - Soldier Systems Daily". soldiersystems.net. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
12. "Defenders go mobile with new comm system". Eglin Air Force Base. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
13. "Snapshot: Growing Impact of TAK | Homeland Security".
14. "Direct Commercial Sale | Defense Security Cooperation Agency". samm.dsca.mil.
15. . Archived from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
16. "ATAK-CIV (Android Team Awareness Kit - Civil Use) - Apps on Google Play".
17. "ATAK". TechLink. TechLink. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
18. "AndroidTacticalAssaultKit-CIV". GitHub. 5 October 2021.
19. "How an Android app is helping commandos call Close Air Support faster". 7 June 2019.
20. "Software allows Soldiers to see, maintain radio connectivity".
21. "The Army's Special Operations Command is trading in its Android devices for 'faster' iPhones | Extremetech". Retrieved 11 August 2023.
22. "Defenders go mobile with new comm system".
23. "Awards Gallery | Federal Labs".
24. Clay, Hailey (9 December 2021). . US Marine Corps. Archived from the original on 17 December 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
25. . Dvidshub. 14 August 2021. Archived from the original on 10 September 2021. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
26. (PDF). Federal News Network. Panasonic. June 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
27. . Shephard Media. 20 January 2022. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
28. "Introduction to the Team Awareness Kit". Colorado Center of Excellence for Advanced Technology Aerial Firefighting.
29. "Corona Fire Department Improves Situational Awareness with ATAK". 2 December 2019.
30. "MANET Operational Field Test with the New York City Police Department (NYPD) Emergency Service Unit (ESU) After Action Report" (PDF). October 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
31. "Tech issues bedevilled the RCMP response to the mass murders of 2020". 16 May 2022.
32. "Mass Casualty Commission RCMP Emergency Response Team (ERT) Foundational Document" (PDF). Retrieved 11 August 2023.
33. "British Army Officer: Military Mobile App 'A Game Changer'". Forces Network. 20 June 2018.
34. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1137486

External links

• TAK Product Center
• TAK Product Center - Legacy Portal 2019-07-08 at the Wayback Machine
• CivTAK.org - News, Licensing, Support for TAK Tools
• TAKCiv Community Support Wiki