In today’s digital age, the proliferation of drones has presented new challenges for security and defence organisations worldwide.  From unauthorised surveillance to potential threats to critical infrastructure, the need for effective counter-drone measures has never been more pressing.  Traditional approaches to counter-drone operations often rely on centralised systems and specialised equipment, limiting their scalability and adaptability in dynamic environments and often inhibited by financial budgets.

Enter ATAK (Android Team Awareness Kit), a versatile platform that is revolutionising the way counter-drone operations are conducted.  Originally developed for military use, ATAK provides a powerful toolkit for situational awareness and collaborative decision-making, making it an ideal platform for crowd-sourced counter-drone efforts.

The English dictionary definition of crowd-sourcing is “the practice of obtaining input, information, or services from a large group of people, typically via the internet and often without direct monetary compensation. This approach harnesses the collective wisdom, resources, and efforts of a diverse group of individuals to achieve a particular goal or solve a problem“.

Without any additional hardware needed beyond a compatible Android smart phone, ATAK enables users to deploy a mobile sensor, enriching real-time data gathering and situational awareness while on the move.  This functionality proves particularly valuable for mobile security personnel or scenarios where the area of surveillance / protection shifts along with the operator. This can be further enhanced by using ATAK geofencing facility and establishing a geofence around your location marker with a predefined radius. This way, you’ll receive alerts for any detections occurring within your designated zone, even when you are moving.

By detecting the open Remote ID standard to interpret broadcasted drone data, ATAK then redistributes the parsed Remote ID messages via Cursor on Target (CoT) to either a multicast UDP or TCP TAK Server network, ensuring all users within the network gain comprehensive situational awareness.  As more personnel utilise ATAK and their positions extend wider, this facilitates crowd-sourced drone detection.

So, how exactly can ATAK enable crowd-sourced counter-drone capabilities?

  • Real-Time Detection and Tracking – In addition to the mobile phone based sensor, ATAK can integrate with a variety of other sensors and detection systems to provide real-time information on drone activity.  By aggregating data from multiple sources, including radar, electro-optical and RF sensors, ATAK creates a comprehensive picture of the airspace, enabling users to quickly identify and track potential threats.

  • Distributed Sensor Networks – ATAK facilitates the deployment of distributed sensor networks, allowing users to leverage existing infrastructure and resources for drone detection.  This approach enables organisations to cover larger areas more effectively, providing greater coverage and redundancy against evolving threats.

  • Collaborative Response – One of ATAK’s key strengths is its ability to facilitate collaboration among team members in real-time.  When a drone threat is detected, ATAK allows users to share relevant information, such as the drone’s location, altitude, and trajectory, with other team members instantly.  This collaborative approach enables organisations to coordinate their response efforts more effectively, whether it involves deploying countermeasures or notifying relevant authorities.

  • Integration with Countermeasures – ATAK can seamlessly integrate with a wide range of counter-drone technologies, including jamming systems, net guns, and other kinetic and non-kinetic countermeasures.  By providing real-time situational awareness and precise targeting information, ATAK enhances the effectiveness of these countermeasures, minimising collateral damage and disruption to operations.

  • Adaptability and Scalability – ATAK’s open architecture and modular design make it highly adaptable to different operational environments and mission requirements.  Whether it’s securing a sporting event, protecting a critical infrastructure facility, or supporting military operations, ATAK can be customised to meet the unique needs of any situation.

Captured below are a series of screenshots from an ATAK EUD (End User Device) illustrating the clarity and effectiveness of the common operating picture displayed for the CUAS Operator.

Hint: Click the ‘i’ icon for additional information

ATAK Crowd Sourced CUAS

Screenshot displaying an expanded and elevated perspective, encompassing comprehensive data including ADSB.

ATAK Crowd Sourced CUAS

Screenshot exhibiting a close-up view of the identified drone of interest.

ATAK Crowd Sourced CUAS

Screenshot presenting the activated ‘Radial’ menu, providing supplementary options for the target.

ATAK Crowd Sourced CUAS

Screenshot presenting supplementary details regarding the chosen target.

In conclusion, crowd-sourced counter-drone capabilities are within easy reach with ATAK.  By capitalising on the seamless exchange of real-time data, fostering collaboration, and integrating diverse sources of information, ATAK empowers organisations to identify, monitor, and address drone threats with heightened efficiency.  As the complexities of the threat environment persist, ATAK’s pioneering methods in counter-drone operations promise to be indispensable in fortifying our airspace defences and upholding the safety of our communities.

New Ground-breaking TAK Course provided free to Police Forces Globally

Aerial Defence Ltd is proud to announce its exclusive partnership with COPTRZ for the creation of an introductory training program highlighting the capabilities and effectiveness of the Team Awareness Kit (TAK).  This training package is tailored for Emergency Responders, including Police officers and Police forces globally, and is available for FREE to those within this category.

The course aims to enhance situational awareness, especially during drone operations, and covers topics such as TAK benefits, applications, versions, interface navigation, installation and FAQs.  The training is accessible through email registration and serves as a permanent resource for ongoing reference.  Additionally, Coptrz offers classroom courses for further more in-depth training in locations all around the world.

To enrol in the free course and gain access to the COPTRZ ACADEMY platform where the course is hosted, Police officers and forces can sign up by simply emailing their details to service@coptrz.com requesting a login for the TAK course.  Participants will also receive entry to over 400 supplementary drone and drone-related courses available on the platform.

For additional support in implementation or training, feel free to contact us at enquiries@aerial-defence.com or reach out to Coptrz for further assistance.