Create Grid Reference Graphics (GRGs) directly in ATAK for operational planning and coordination. Define custom grids over any area of operations with alphanumeric labels, color coding, and standardized cell sizes — then share them instantly with your team as ATAK overlays or GeoPackage exports.
A Grid Reference Graphic (GRG) is a custom tactical grid overlay placed on the map to create a shared reference system for an area of operations. GRGs enable teams to communicate precise locations rapidly using simple grid cell identifiers (e.g., "Alpha-3" or "Row 5, Column C") rather than long coordinate strings — critical for fire support coordination, urban operations, and complex multi-element maneuvers.
During a building clearance operation, a GRG is created over a city block with 50m x 50m cells labeled with alphanumeric identifiers (A1 through H8). As teams advance, they report their position using cell references. The operations center tracks progress by updating cell status colors in real time on the shared ATAK overlay, providing a clear common operational picture without complex coordinate transmission.
Tactical AI DuckDB's GRG Builder supports multiple grid labeling systems to match operational conventions:
| Grid Type | Label Format | Example | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha-Numeric | Letter (row) + Number (column) | A1, B3, C7 | Urban ops, building clearance |
| Numeric-Alpha | Number (row) + Letter (column) | 1A, 3B, 7C | Range grids, fire support |
| Numeric | Sequential numbers | 1, 2, 3, 4... | Simple area division |
| Custom Prefix | User-defined prefix + sequential | RED-1, BLUE-1 | Multi-element deconfliction |
Every aspect of the GRG is configurable to match operational requirements and the scale of the area of operations:
GRG cells can be individually colored to communicate status, ownership, or assessment results. Color schemes are configurable to match organizational standards or operational phase codes:
| Color Scheme | Meaning | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| ■ Green | Cleared / Friendly / Safe | Building clearance, route recon |
| ■ Red | Enemy / Hostile / Unsafe | Contact reports, hazard areas |
| ■ Yellow | Unknown / Suspected / Restricted | Uncleared areas, investigation |
| ■ Blue | Assigned / In Progress | Task tracking, sector assignment |
| Custom | Organizational definition | Mission-specific color schemes |
GRGs are essential tools for fire support coordination. The GRG Builder includes fire support-specific features to assist with indirect fire planning:
GRGs can be exported in multiple formats for distribution to teams with different tools and platforms:
| Export Format | Recipient | Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| ATAK Overlay (.zip) | Other ATAK users | Real-time team sharing via TAK Server |
| GeoPackage | GIS analysts, ArcGIS | Enterprise GIS integration |
| KML/KMZ | Google Earth, other tools | Briefing, non-ATAK users |
| GeoJSON | Web map platforms | Map State API, web clients |
| Shapefile | Legacy GIS systems | Older enterprise tools |
Because GRGs are stored as polygon features in DuckDB Spatial, they can be used as a spatial index for analysis. Perform spatial joins to count markers per cell, aggregate sensor readings by grid square, or filter other datasets to specific cells by name.
After a reconnaissance operation, the AI Agent aggregates all observations by GRG cell. It identifies that cells A3, A4, and B4 have the highest concentration of hostile markers, enabling the operations officer to query: "Which grid cells have more than 3 enemy sightings?" and visualize the results as a heat map overlay.
GRGs integrate directly with the Collaborative Whiteboard module. Annotate grid cells with hand-drawn overlays, share the combined GRG + whiteboard with your team, and use the grid as a common reference system for sketch mapping during orders briefs and mission rehearsals.