Earth:Android Tactical Assault Kit

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The Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) is an Android smartphone geospatial infrastructure and military situational awareness app built using NASA WorldWind. Initially created in 2010 by the Air Force Research Laboratory,[1][2] and based on the NASA WorldWind Mobile codebase its development and deployment grew slowly then rapidly since 2016.[3][4]

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.[5]

A typical ATAK screen

ATAK has a plugin architecture which allows developers to add functionality to ATAK.

As of 2019, ATAK has an estimated 175,000 military and civilian users across numerous public safety agencies.[6]

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.[7]

Connections to other programs

ATAK began in August 2010 and was originally based on NASA's WorldWind Mobile. The goal was to demonstrate robust information sharing in a mobile format. Oct 14, 2014 U.S. Army Geospatial Center recommended AFRL's Android Tactical Assault 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. Read the full, public released report Nett Warrior Map Engine Trade Study.

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.

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

Because of ATAK's excellent suitability to coordinating people over Geography, ATAK is made available to Federal Government users and their contractors who need such coordination. ATAK is also made available to Government researchers who wish to experiment with geospatial collaboration without building their own systems.

Other Versions

In addition to the Android Version, there is also a Windows version (WinTak) and an iPhone version under development (iTak). WinTAK is an application developed for 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 November 2015, twenty-five companies have licensed ATAK for commercial uses. 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 Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) Licensing for Tech Transfer & Tech Transition. Briefing. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A: Approved for Public Release, Case Number 88ABW-2014-1324

References

  1. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-05-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20140520234009/http://www.wpafb.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-131008-023.pdf. Retrieved 2014-05-20. 
  2. ↑ [1][|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
  3. ↑ "58--RFI for Mobile Communications Device SOF-NEXTGEN-RADIO - Federal Business Opportunities: Opportunities" (in en). https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=8f69fc9a1ac486675a2d08a5ac57cc41. 
  4. ↑ "Snapshot: ATAK increases situational awareness, communication". November 17, 2017. https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/news/2017/11/17/snapshot-atak-increases-situational-awareness-communication. 
  5. ↑ Denise Chow, Troops Call for Military Airstrike? There's an App for That, LiveScience (October 21, 2013).
  6. ↑ "ATAK Improves Situational Awareness for California Fire Department" (in en-US). 2019-10-16. https://insights.samsung.com/2019/10/16/atak-improves-situational-awareness-for-california-fire-department/. 
  7. ↑ "Juggernaut.Board MFF-T2 - Soldier Systems Daily" (in en-US). http://soldiersystems.net/2015/11/12/juggernaut-board-mff-t2/. 

External links




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