How to set up ATAK UAS Tool on Skydio X10D

Published: Updated:

  1. Skydio
  2. Skydio X10
  3. Skydio X10D Offline

This guide explains how to enable the UAS Tool plugin to fly the Skydio X10D with either a Skydio Controller or a third-party Ground Control Station (GCS). Before you begin, ensure that you have the following:

  1. Skydio X10D Connect MH Multiband drone with the latest software update
  2. Current supported Microhard firmware: v1.3.5:1068
  3. MAVLink license
  4. Feature flag for RTSP video over MAVLink
  5. Updated and un-kiosked Skysio X10D MH controller
  6. Third-party GCS running the latest versions of ATAK + UAS Tool
  7. External Microhard radio
  8. Mac or Linux computer
    Required to change vehicle radio settings unless your GCS already has Robot Picker

[note]Contact your Skydio Account Team or Skydio Support to verify[/note]

To Use ATAK + UAS Tool on the Skydio Controller

Step 1 - Power on and pair

  • Power on the X10D and the Skydio Controller
  • Launch the Skydio Flight Deck
  • Confirm that the controller is paired to the aircraft
  • Ensure that the Wi-Fi is off 

[note]To send FMV and CoT to a wider network, use a physical connection such as USB-C to Ethernet connected to a MANET, router, or LTE cradle.[/note]

Step 2 - Install ATAK and the UAS Tool plugin

  • Download the latest versions of ATAK and the UAS Tool plugin from the TAK website
  • Copy both installers to a USB-C flash drive
  • Insert the flash drive into the Skydio Controller
  • Install ATAK and UAS Tool

Step 3 - Fix ATAK screen orientation

When ATAK launches for the first time on the controller, the display may appear upside down. To correct it:

  • Open ATAK
  • Select the hamburger menu in the upper-right corner, next to the dog icon
  • Select Settings
  • Select Display Preferences
  • Select Additional Display Options
  • Enable Reverse Landscape Orientation
uas tool upside down.png
uas tool upside down 2png.png

Step 4 - Load the UAS Tool plugin

  • Open the hamburger menu in ATAK
  • Select Plugins
  • Load the UAS Tool plugin
    • UAS Tool will appear in the ATAK menu
UAS tool plugin.png
uas tool 3.png

Step 5 - Open UAS Tool and create a configuration

  • Select the hamburger menu and UAS Tool
  • On first launch: Select Configure now
  • On subsequent launches: Select the plus (+) button to create a new configuration
uas tool 4.png

Step 6 - Select MAVLink

  • Tap None Selected
  • Select MAVLink
uas tool 5.png

Step 7 - Apply the Skydio connection preset

  • Select the arrow to the right of Connection Presets
  • Select the Skydio preset (for both X2D and X10D)
  • Select Configure

At first, no aircraft may appear. Once the connection is established, the X10D will populate in the UAS list.
uas tool 7.png
uas tool 6.png

Step 8 - Configure safety settings

Before flight, open UAS Settings and configure your mission safety parameters, such as:

  • Return behavior
  • Low-battery actions
  • Lost-link behavior

Recommended: Review these settings before every launch, especially when changing mission profiles or operating environments.
uas tool safety.png

Step 9 - Arm the vehicle to start video

  • Select Arm and the video feeds will begin streaming.

Switching between apps:

  • You must close UAS Tool if you want to fly using the Skydio Flight Deck
  • You cannot use the Skydio ATAK option in Flight Deck while flying with UAS Tool
  • If you need to add a TAK server, add it directly in the ATAK app

[accordion heading="Configure supported attachment VID/PIDs" toggle]

You can load a configuration file that defines valid USB attachment VID/PIDs for the vehicle.

Step 1 - Create the configuration file

  • Include all required attachment configurations in a single file
  • The X10D ingests only one file at a time
  • Maximum file size: 10 KB

Create a JSON file using the following schema:

{

  "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",

  "title": "DeviceDescriptorArray (hex VID/PID)",

  "type": "array",

  "items": {

    "type": "object",

    "properties": {

      "vid": {

        "type": "string",

        "pattern": "^0x[0-9A-Fa-f]{4}$",

        "description": "Vendor ID in hex (0xNNNN), e.g. 0xBEEF"

      },

      "pid": {

        "type": "string",

        "pattern": "^0x[0-9A-Fa-f]{4}$",

        "description": "Product ID in hex (0xNNNN), e.g. 0xCAFE"

      },

      "attachment_type": {

        "type": "string",

        "description": "Attachment type identifier",

        "enum": ["radio", "toggle", "power"]

      }

    },

    "required": ["vid", "pid", "attachment_type"],

    "additionalProperties": false

  }

}

Example valid file: 

[

  { "vid": "0xBEEF", "pid": "0xCAFE", "attachment_type": "radio" },

  { "vid": "0x1234", "pid": "0xABCD", "attachment_type": "power" }

]

Step 2 - Power on and pair the X10D

  • Power on the X10D
  • Pair it with the controller as normal

Step 3 - Insert the USB-C memory drive

  • Copy the JSON file to a USB-C memory drive
  • Plug the drive into the rear USB-C port of the X10D

Step 4 - Confirm ingestion status

The X10D will indicate success or failure using the arm lights.

If ingestion succeeds:

  • The arm lights flash green
  • The specified attachment VID/PIDs become valid for use with that vehicle

If ingestion fails:

  • The arm lights flash red
  • A file named attachment_config_errors.json is written to the USB drive
  • Review that file for debugging information

[/accordion]

[accordion heading="Adjust video bitrate for a third-party radio" toggle]


When a supported third-party radio is attached, you can adjust the video bitrate from the radio menu.

Step 1 - Open the radio menu

Connect the supported third-party radio. The radio menu becomes visible only when a compatible radio is connected.

Step 2 - Select a bitrate for the mission

  • Low for maximum range and reliability
  • Medium for balanced performance
  • High for best video clarity when link quality supports it

This lets operators optimize performance based on mission conditions and the capabilities of the attached radio.

[/accordion]

[accordion heading="Troubleshooting" toggle]

ATAK is upside down on the controller

Enable Reverse Landscape Orientation in:
Settings > Display Preferences > Additional Display Options

The aircraft does not appear in UAS Tool

  • Confirm the aircraft is an X10D MB
  • Confirm the aircraft has the supported Microhard radio
  • Confirm MAVLink licensing is enabled
  • Confirm the Skydio preset is selected
  • Confirm Wi-Fi is off
  • Confirm the controller was first connected in the Skydio Enterprise app

Video does not start

Video begins only after the vehicle is armed.

Attachment configuration ingestion fails

Check the attachment_config_errors.json file on the USB drive and verify:

  • JSON formatting is valid
  • vid and pid values use 0xNNNN format
  • attachment_type is one of:
    • radio
    • toggle
    • power

[/accordion]

Explore More

Explore related articles for additional information

Skydio X10D Manuals, Guides, and Resources

[note]If you need assistance, please reach out to: FedSupport@skydio.us[/note]

 

Skydio, Inc. A0635
 

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