Three platforms in one app
Each core capability provides a paradigm shift in cost, supply chain resiliency, and speed of fielding. Combined, they deliver a game-changing operational advantage.
PRODUCTS
PROPAGATE
Software-defined Networking for the Tactical Edge
Propagate by Ditto transforms any Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Android phone or tablet into a powerful edge network router, edge<->cloud gateway, and robotic controller — no custom hardware required.
- Edge network routing across multiple disparate terrestrial networks and IP-based peripherals
- Cloud gateway via any path the Android can reach — LTE, Starlink, WiFi, and more
- Robotic network interface control for UAS Ground Control Stations
- Deep ATAK integration with built-in TAK server and plugin
The Problem
Custom hardware is the bottleneck at the tactical edge
Current battlefield edge networking relies on custom, kernel-configured End User Devices (EUDs) and expensive, bulky hardware for routing, bridging, and cloud connectivity. These purpose-built solutions create supply chain fragility, cost overruns, and fielding delays — limiting digital situational awareness to those with specialized equipment. With over 300,000 ATAK users across the DoD and allied forces, the custom EUD has become the limiting factor for capability fielding at scale.
The Solution
A software-defined approach on the devices you already have
Propagate delivers a patent-pending userspace IP Stack that runs as a consumer-type app on any of the 3+ billion Android phones and tablets worldwide. It replaces the bulky boxes and custom hardware with a download — projecting advanced networking functionality anywhere in the world at the speed of software. A software-defined approach reduces logistical burdens, eliminates hardware vulnerability, and turns every user into a potential cloud connection point.
Core Capabilities
Edge Network Router
Connect up to four network peripherals — radios, tactical appliances, and more — and bridge data packets among them, solving interoperability challenges without the traditional bulky and expensive boxes.
Edge-to-Cloud Gateway
Form a bi-directional data bridge between closed terrestrial networks and any cloud IP address via Public/Private LTE, Starlink, Starshield, WiFi, and more. Every user becomes a potential cloud connection point, improving resiliency.
Robotic Controller (GCS)
Provide the low-level networking and interface control for robotic telemetry over RF networks. Combines with ATAK and UMS Tool to deliver software-pure Ground Control Stations at 5x cost savings versus custom hardware.
Layer 2 Network Bridging
Turn your Android EUD into a network switch at the edge via USB multi-ethernet, allowing disparate hardware networks with varying encryption and waveforms to converge on a single device.
Proprietary CoT Compression
Achieve an average 88% reduction in packet sizes across PLI, P2P Chat, and Group Chat for P25 networks. Transport-aware algorithms automatically activate when connected to P25-based radios.
Zero Callback Architecture
Propagate never "calls back" to any vendor-owned server, minimizing persona signatures and maintaining operational security. No additional emissions are added to transmissions.
SDN Feature Stack
A full software-defined networking stack in your pocket
Propagate's novel IP Stack operates in 6 out of 7 OSI layers, delivering capabilities previously requiring purpose-built hardware.
Full IPv4 & IPv6 IP Stack
A complete IP Stack within the app with standard and custom configurations, delivered Over The Air at any time. Creates specialized packet generation not possible with any other Android device.
Built-in TAK Server
A TAK server embedded within the app enables seamless ATAK connectivity without requiring changes to your existing network architecture.
SOCKS5 Proxy
Standards-based integration mechanism for TCP connections, allowing third-party applications to utilize the terrestrial closed network without modification.
TCP & UDP Direct Proxy
TCP Direct Proxy forwards traffic to non-proxy-aware applications. UDP Direct Proxy accommodates advanced networking like DARPA SHARE. No changes to 3rd party apps needed.
MDNS & Service Resolution
Name and service resolution enabling Plug-and-Play discovery of network services, simplifying integration of new devices and capabilities on the mesh.
ATAK Plugin Integration
In-ATAK control of interfaces and networks. Send and receive PLI, chat, markers, attachments, and Cursor on Target messages directly within the TAK ecosystem.
UAS Tool & MAVLink
Automatic detection of UAS Tool MAVLink multicast video streams. Send and receive MAVLink data for drone control — enabling software-pure Ground Control Stations.
Use Cases
From the tactical edge to the cloud
Propagate eliminates hardware dependencies across multiple critical operational scenarios.
Dismounted Operations
Warfighters carry a single COTS Android phone connecting to multiple radio networks, maintaining a shared Common Operational Picture without lugging dedicated networking hardware. Attritable and highly exploitable if captured — limited to the hardware it's installed on.
Partner Force Integration
Instantly interconnect with partner forces using commercially available Android devices. No backend server integration wait — just immediate connectivity and collaboration with controlled data access to simulate partner force CONOP.
Counter-UAS Kill Chain
Support Passive Multispectral Air Surveillance Kill Chain (PMASKC) for C-UAS, L-SHORAD, and OWA systems with real-time sensor data from COTS robotic platforms, distributed securely across tactical networks to any cloud.
Software-Pure Ground Control Station
Replace custom-built GCS hardware with a Propagate-enabled COTS Android, enabling distributed control of robotics systems over tactical networks.
Compatibility
Works with the gear you already have
Propagate supports all major DoD radios in programs of record, plus a wide range of COTS devices and networking interfaces.
Supported Radios
- Motorola APX/SRXBTUSB
- Motorola XTS 1500/2500/5000USB
- Motorola MotoTRBO XPR, R2, R5, R7USB
- Motorola MotoTRBO XPR, R2, R5, R7USB
- Persistent Systems MPU5USB
- Doodle Labs Mesh RiderUSB
- DTC Sentry Mesh 6161USB
- TrellisWareUSB
- BittiumUSB
- SilvusUSB
- Domo TacticalUSB
- ThalesUSB
- MicrohardUSB
- L3 Harris Falcon III RF-7850MUSB
- L3 Harris AN/PRC-171USB
- L3 Harris AN/PRC-163USB
End User Devices
- Propagate supports any Android device (OS 9+)
- Propagate has been operationality validated on:
- UXV Navigator Tab 3 GCS
- UXV SRoC GCS
- Roke CC1 Tactical EUD
- Samsung Galaxy series
- Google Pixel series
- Motorola Moto G series
Networking
- USB Ethernet (RNDIS)
- USB Ethernet (AX88179A)
- USB Ethernet (LAN9500)
- Bluetooth Classic (DUN)
- Interface Bridging & Switching
- Android VPN Service
- Interface Routing
- TCP/UDP Port Mapping
- SOCKS5 Proxy
Licensing
- Offline time-based per-device or per-user
- Shared via data file or QR code
Key Specs
- App size: 30.8 MB
- Connector: 3.9 MB
- Up to 4 tethered + 1 BT + LTE/WiFi
- ATAK 4.10+ compatible
- No ITAR restrictions
- Dual-use — US persons developed
- No foreign dependencies
- TRL 7 assessed (T-REX 25-2)
Validated Performance
Proven at T-REX 25-2, Camp Atterbury
Propagate demonstrated technical performance and operational relevance during the Technology Readiness Experimentation (T-REX) 25-2 conducted by ODASW(P&E) in August 2025.
TRL 7
Technology Readiness Level
88 %
Technology Readiness Level
0
Latency issues during testing
5 X
Cost savings vs. hardware GCS
"Propagate is a TRL 7 technology capable of real-time tactical edge reporting through any Android EUD, alleviating the requirement of custom kernel configured devices. High system availability, minimal impact on operator cognitive burden, and robust communications resiliency."
— ODASW(P&E) Assessments Team,
T-REX 25-2 Assessment Report
Getting Started
Deploy in minutes, not months
Propagate's guided workflows make setup simple for any operator — training time is minimal.
1
InstallPropagate
Download and install the 30.8 MB app on any Android device running OS 9 or later. Install the 3.9 MB connector to activate hardware interface dongles for radio pairing.
2
ConfigureYour Network
Use intuitive guided workflows to connect radios, set up UAS links, configure multi-radio routing, or create Layer 2 bridges. Load pre-built config files or build custom configurations.
3
StartOperating
Begin routing data, syncing PLI and chat across disparate networks, streaming sensor feeds from robotics, and bridging to the cloud — all from the COTS Android in your hand.
Contract Enablers
Multiple pathways to procurement
AF STRATFI
Ditto will deliver a suite of interdependent technical capabilities that enable resilient data synchronization, intelligent data prioritization, and operational autonomy across distributed environments.
SBIR Phase III
As an awardee of multiple SBIR Phase I and II contracts for applying commercial technology to DoD use-cases, SBIR Phase III can be used for sole-source selection.
Tradewinds Marketplace
The Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace conforms to FAR competition requirements, making Propagate available for direct award without further competition.
Ready to Transform Your Edge Network?
Replace expensive hardware with a software download. Propagate is mission-ready today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a developer sign up in the Ditto Portal to build a free Ditto application. We also have demo apps that you can download and test pre-built Ditto apps on your own devices.
Devices don’t wait for connection to WiFi, servers, or the cloud. They create a localized mesh network and sync directly with each other over Peer-to-Peer Wi-Fi (think Airdrop), Bluetooth Low Energy, or Local Area Network. If one connection drops, Ditto automatically reroutes through another channel or device within the network.
In Ditto's implementation, conflicts are automatically resolved, merged, and synced across peers without the need for coordination or validation from a centralized authority. Learn more about Ditto’s CRDT.
Check out our pricing pages for information on Ditto Cloud Sync and Peer-to-Peer Sync. Depending on your needs, you may need to speak with our sales team to discuss your project’s scope.
Ditto's offline-first, embedded database stores data in structured JSON-like document objects, similar to NoSQL. It runs within your app (on mobile, web, IoT, etc.), allowing you to read and write data even without an internet connection. Each instance of the Edge SDK maintains its own local datastore, so the app remains fully functional offline and can share data locally. Learn more here.
Encrypted at the transport layer using version 1.3 of the Transport Layer Protocol (TLS), clients and servers are mutually authenticated prior to transmission of API and peer-to-peer access credentials. The use of mutually authenticated TLS (mTLS) mitigates potential risks posed by outside attackers attempting to masquerade as a valid API endpoint or peer in the mesh network to steal information.
Additionally, Ditto workloads and services are tightly controlled in a containerized Kubernetes environment.
