How to use TAK Markers on Skydio X10D

TAK markers let operators share important locations, tracked subjects, drone position, controller position, and crosshair position across a TAK network using Cursor on Target (CoT). On the X10D controller, Skydio Flight Deck can automatically send and receive multicast CoT messages over connected interfaces, connect to TAK servers, and display MIL-STD-2525C/NATO APP-06C symbology.

Any TAK Marker created is immediately shared on the network.

• No-friction sharing
• User always selects marker type before creating
• Subject tracking auto-markers always start as Unknown
• Any TAK Marker (created or received) can be edited 

Before you start

This feature requires DTED for full functionality; regional terrain data can be downloaded from the ISR Manager, unzipped, and copied to the DTED folder on the vehicle's media SD card. X10D automatically imports DTED within 10 km of the launch site. 

Visit How to download terrain data from ISR Manager for instructions. 

Share drone and controller markers

To share drone and controller positions, open the TAK menu and enable Share Drone and Controller Markers. From this menu, customize the drone callsign and controller callsign so other TAK users can identify them correctly. When enabled, the system can share the vehicle position, controller position, and crosshair position to the TAK network.

Step 1 - Select Global Settings > Sharing > TAK/CoT

Step 2 - Toggle On Share Drone and Controller Markers

Step 3 - Enter Drone Callsign and Controller Callsign

Step 4 - Select which tracked subjects create the TAK marker

• All
• Selected 
• None

Add a TAK marker at the crosshair

Use this when you want to quickly mark the location currently under the crosshair.

1. Open the Add TAK Marker quick action
2. Select the marker type
3. Choose Add at Crosshair

You can also map a controller button to Add TAK Marker at Crosshair. This adds a marker of the currently selected type at the crosshair ground location.

Add a TAK marker at a coordinate

Use this when you have a known coordinate from another source.

1. Open Add TAK Marker
2. Select the marker type before continuing
3. Choose Add at Coordinate
4. Enter the coordinate in Lat/Long, MGRS, or UTM format
5. Select Add TAK Marker

Adding a marker at a coordinate requires MapBox terrain data for AR overlays. The Add TAK Marker button does not move the map. Use the Center on coordinate button first when you want to verify the location of the coordinate on the map. If on-screen controls are blocked by the keyboard, select Enter to proceed. This workflow is also available before launch when the vehicle is paired.

Add a TAK marker from the map

Use this when you want to create a marker by selecting a point visually on the map.

1. Long-press the desired map point
2. Select the Add TAK Marker submenu
3. Choose the marker type

[note]This workflow also requires MapBox terrain data for AR overlays.[/note]

Use subject tracking TAK markers

Subject tracking can create TAK markers for tracked subjects. In the Share to TAK settings, choose whether to share tracked subjects as All, Selected, or None. Subject tracking auto-markers start as Unknown; edit the marker type once the subject’s classification is known.

Move or edit a TAK marker

To move a marker:

1. Long-press the marker.
2. Choose Move TAK Marker.
3. Tap or drag the marker to the new location.

Moving a marker requires MapBox terrain data for AR overlays. To edit a marker, select it and update fields such as callsign, type, or details from the marker panel. Any created or received marker can be edited.

Watch a TAK marker or location

The Watch capability lets the system point the camera at a marker or location. It can watch static or dynamic TAK markers, watch locations, and let autonomy control gimbal pointing.

To watch a TAK marker, open the marker details and select Watch. The quick action button can turn Watch off. Watch controls the gimbal pointing and does not affect flight autonomy. To watch a location instead of a marker, use the mapped Watch Location button, the quick action toggle at the crosshair, or long-press a map point and choose Watch Location.

Visit   for detailed information.

Control TAK marker visibility

TAK markers can be shown or hidden in two places:

• In AR view, open the Augmented Reality controls and toggle TAK Markers
• On the map, open Layers and toggle the TAK Markers layer

Marker timing and stale behavior

The frequency of TAK marker sharing depends on the marker source. User-created markers are shared every 10 seconds. Subject tracks, crosshair, vehicle, and controller markers are shared every 500 ms. Subject track markers become stale after now + 2 seconds, while user markers, crosshair, vehicle, and controller markers become stale after now + 60 seconds.

Best practices

Select the correct marker type before creating the marker. Confirm terrain data is available before relying on AR overlays, coordinate-based marker placement, map-point marker creation, or marker movement. Keep ATAK closed when using EntApp to avoid conflicts. Customize drone and controller callsigns before sharing them on the TAK network so teammates can quickly understand what they are seeing.

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