Tactical Symbology API: MIL-STD-2525 Symbols and Graphics

The gov.nasa.worldwind.symbology package provides a symbology framework that decouples the abstract concept of a tactical symbol or graphic from any specific standard. The MIL-STD-2525C implementation in gov.nasa.worldwind.symbology.milstd2525 provides concrete classes for rendering icons, lines, and area graphics compliant with the NATO standard. All symbols and graphics implement Renderable and can be added to a RenderableLayer.

`TacticalSymbol` Interface

TacticalSymbol represents a point symbol identified by a string code (SIDC in MIL-STD-2525). It extends WWObject, Renderable, and Highlightable.

TacticalSymbol interface — key methods

public interface TacticalSymbol extends WWObject, Renderable, Highlightable {

    // Visibility
    boolean isVisible();
    void    setVisible(boolean visible);

    // Identity
    String getIdentifier();     // 15-char SIDC for MIL-STD-2525

    // Position and altitude
    Position getPosition();
    void     setPosition(Position position);
    int      getAltitudeMode();
    void     setAltitudeMode(int altitudeMode);

    // Modifiers (text and graphic)
    Object getModifier(String modifier);
    void   setModifier(String modifier, Object value);

    // Modifier visibility
    boolean isShowGraphicModifiers();
    void    setShowGraphicModifiers(boolean showGraphicModifiers);
    boolean isShowTextModifiers();
    void    setShowTextModifiers(boolean showTextModifiers);
    boolean isShowLocation();
    void    setShowLocation(boolean show);
    boolean isShowHostileIndicator();
    void    setShowHostileIndicator(boolean show);

    // Attributes
    TacticalSymbolAttributes getAttributes();
    void                     setAttributes(TacticalSymbolAttributes normalAttrs);
    TacticalSymbolAttributes getHighlightAttributes();
    void                     setHighlightAttributes(TacticalSymbolAttributes highlightAttrs);

    // LOD selector (dynamic detail management)
    LODSelector getLODSelector();
    void        setLODSelector(LODSelector LODSelector);

    // Delegate owner for picking
    Object getDelegateOwner();
    void   setDelegateOwner(Object owner);

    // Units format for text modifiers (e.g., altitude display)
    UnitsFormat getUnitsFormat();
    void        setUnitsFormat(UnitsFormat unitsFormat);
}

`TacticalSymbolAttributes`

TacticalSymbolAttributes controls the visual appearance of a TacticalSymbol. Instances may be shared across many symbols. Any field left null retains the implementation’s default.

TacticalSymbolAttributes — scaling, opacity, and text

TacticalSymbolAttributes attrs = new BasicTacticalSymbolAttributes();

// Scale (1.0 = native size; <1.0 smaller, >1.0 larger)
attrs.setScale(0.75);

// Opacity (0.0 = transparent, 1.0 = opaque) — applies to icon and modifiers
attrs.setOpacity(0.9);

// Override the frame/icon interior colour
attrs.setInteriorMaterial(new Material(Color.BLUE));

// Text modifier font
attrs.setTextModifierFont(new Font("Arial", Font.PLAIN, 12));

// Text modifier material (colour)
attrs.setTextModifierMaterial(new Material(Color.BLACK));

symbol.setAttributes(attrs);

// Separate highlight attributes
TacticalSymbolAttributes highlight = new BasicTacticalSymbolAttributes();
highlight.setScale(1.2);
highlight.setOpacity(1.0);
symbol.setHighlightAttributes(highlight);

Method	Description
`setScale(Double)`	Size multiplier; `null` uses implementation default.
`setOpacity(Double)`	0–1 transparency; applies to entire symbol including modifiers.
`setInteriorMaterial(Material)`	Override icon/frame fill colour.
`setTextModifierFont(Font)`	Font for text labels around the symbol.
`setTextModifierMaterial(Material)`	Colour for text modifier labels.

`TacticalGraphic` Interface

TacticalGraphic represents a multi-point tactical graphic — a line, area, or composite shape positioned by one or more control points. It extends Renderable, Highlightable, Movable, and AVList.

TacticalGraphic interface — key methods

public interface TacticalGraphic extends Renderable, Highlightable, Movable, AVList {

    // Visibility
    boolean isVisible();
    void    setVisible(boolean visible);

    // Identity
    String getIdentifier();

    // Modifiers
    Object getModifier(String modifier);
    void   setModifier(String modifier, Object value);

    // Modifier display
    boolean isShowGraphicModifiers();
    void    setShowGraphicModifiers(boolean showGraphicModifiers);
    boolean isShowTextModifiers();
    void    setShowTextModifiers(boolean showTextModifiers);
    boolean isShowLocation();
    void    setShowLocation(boolean show);
    boolean isShowHostileIndicator();
    void    setShowHostileIndicator(boolean show);

    // Control points
    Iterable<? extends Position> getPositions();
    void setPositions(Iterable<? extends Position> positions);

    // Convenience text modifier (== UNIQUE_DESIGNATION)
    String getText();
    void   setText(String text);

    // Attributes
    TacticalGraphicAttributes getAttributes();
    void                      setAttributes(TacticalGraphicAttributes attributes);
    TacticalGraphicAttributes getHighlightAttributes();
    void                      setHighlightAttributes(TacticalGraphicAttributes attributes);

    // Label placement
    Offset getLabelOffset();
    void   setLabelOffset(Offset offset);

    // Delegate owner for picking
    Object getDelegateOwner();
    void   setDelegateOwner(Object owner);

    // Unit format
    UnitsFormat getUnitsFormat();
    void        setUnitsFormat(UnitsFormat unitsFormat);
}

`TacticalGraphicAttributes`

TacticalGraphicAttributes controls the appearance of tactical graphic outlines, fills, and text. Non-null values override the symbol-set defaults; null values retain defaults.

TacticalGraphicAttributes — override example

TacticalGraphicAttributes attrs = new BasicTacticalGraphicAttributes();

// Outline
attrs.setOutlineMaterial(Material.RED);
attrs.setOutlineWidth(3.0);

// Interior fill
attrs.setInteriorMaterial(new Material(new Color(255, 0, 0, 80)));
attrs.setInteriorOpacity(0.3);

// Text modifiers
attrs.setTextModifierMaterial(new Material(Color.WHITE));
attrs.setTextModifierFont(new Font("Arial", Font.BOLD, 14));

// Scale (affects point graphic size; line/area graphics are unaffected
// unless they contain an embedded tactical symbol)
attrs.setScale(1.0);

graphic.setAttributes(attrs);

`SymbologyConstants`

SymbologyConstants is an interface containing string constant keys for MIL-STD-2525 modifier fields. Pass these as the first argument to setModifier() / getModifier().

Key Modifier Constants

Constant	MIL-STD-2525 Field	Value Type	Description
`ADDITIONAL_INFORMATION`	`"H"`	`String` (≤ 20 chars)	Free-text additional info.
`ALTITUDE_DEPTH`	`"X"`	`String` (≤ 14 chars)	Altitude flight level or depth.
`AZIMUTH`	`"AN"`	`Angle`	Direction relative to true north.
`DIRECTION_OF_MOVEMENT`	`"Q"`	`Angle`	Heading indicator arrow.
`FEINT_DUMMY`	`"AB"`	`String`	Feint/dummy unit modifier.
`QUANTITY`	`"C"`	`String`	Numeric quantity label.
`REINFORCED_REDUCED`	`"F"`	`String`	Reinforcement/reduction status.
`REINFORCED`	`"R"`	`String`	Unit is reinforced.
`REDUCED`	`"D"`	`String`	Unit is reduced.
`REINFORCED_AND_REDUCED`	`"RD"`	`String`	Both reinforced and reduced.
`UNIQUE_DESIGNATION`	`"T"`	`String`	Unit/graphic identifier text.
`STATUS_ANTICIPATED`	`"A"`	—	Symbol status: anticipated/planned.
`STATUS_PRESENT`	`"P"`	—	Symbol status: present.
`STANDARD_IDENTITY_HOSTILE`	`"H"`	—	Hostile/enemy identity.
`AUXILIARY_EQUIPMENT`	`"AG"`	`String`	Auxiliary equipment code.

Setting common modifiers on a TacticalSymbol

symbol.setModifier(SymbologyConstants.UNIQUE_DESIGNATION,  "1-7 IN");
symbol.setModifier(SymbologyConstants.ADDITIONAL_INFORMATION, "OPFOR");
symbol.setModifier(SymbologyConstants.DIRECTION_OF_MOVEMENT, Angle.fromDegrees(270));
symbol.setModifier(SymbologyConstants.QUANTITY, "42");

`MilStd2525TacticalSymbol`

MilStd2525TacticalSymbol is the MIL-STD-2525C implementation of TacticalSymbol, located in gov.nasa.worldwind.symbology.milstd2525.

MilStd2525TacticalSymbol — constructors

// Constructor 1: SIDC + position
TacticalSymbol symbol = new MilStd2525TacticalSymbol(
    "SFGPU---------G",                     // 15-character SIDC
    Position.fromDegrees(40.0, -120.0, 0)  // geographic position
);

// Constructor 2: SIDC + position + initial modifiers
AVList modifiers = new AVListImpl();
modifiers.setValue(SymbologyConstants.DIRECTION_OF_MOVEMENT, Angle.fromDegrees(45));
modifiers.setValue(SymbologyConstants.UNIQUE_DESIGNATION, "Alpha");
TacticalSymbol symbolWithMods = new MilStd2525TacticalSymbol(
    "SFGPU---------G",
    Position.fromDegrees(40.0, -120.0, 0),
    modifiers
);

SIDC position 1 specifies the coding scheme; position 2 the standard identity (F=Friendly, H=Hostile, N=Neutral, U=Unknown); position 3 the battle dimension (G=Ground, A=Air, S=Sea surface, U=Subsurface). The altitude mode is automatically derived from the SIDC battle dimension but can be overridden with setAltitudeMode().

`MilStd2525GraphicFactory`

MilStd2525GraphicFactory implements TacticalGraphicFactory and creates all MIL-STD-2525 tactical graphics (lines, areas, and special point graphics).

MilStd2525GraphicFactory — createGraphic

TacticalGraphicFactory factory = new MilStd2525GraphicFactory();

// Control points for a hostile phase line
List<Position> positions = Arrays.asList(
    Position.fromDegrees(34.7327, -117.8347, 0),
    Position.fromDegrees(34.7328, -117.7305, 0)
);

// Modifiers
AVList modifiers = new AVListImpl();
modifiers.setValue(SymbologyConstants.UNIQUE_DESIGNATION, "PL ALPHA");

// Create a hostile phase line (SIDC GHGPGLP----AUSX)
TacticalGraphic phaseLine = factory.createGraphic(
    "GHGPGLP----AUSX",
    positions,
    modifiers
);

// Create a point graphic with a single position
TacticalGraphic point = factory.createPoint(
    "GFGPAPD----AUSX",
    Position.fromDegrees(34.9, -118.2, 0),
    null
);

Complete Example: MIL-STD-2525 Symbol Rendering

Creating and rendering a MIL-STD-2525 friendly ground unit

// 1. Create the symbol layer
RenderableLayer symbolLayer = new RenderableLayer();
symbolLayer.setName("Tactical Symbols");

// 2. Create a friendly mechanised infantry unit
TacticalSymbol symbol = new MilStd2525TacticalSymbol(
    "SFGPUCI-------G",   // Friendly / Ground / Unit / Combat Infantry
    Position.fromDegrees(36.5, -119.5, 0)
);
symbol.setAltitudeMode(WorldWind.CLAMP_TO_GROUND);

// 3. Add modifiers
symbol.setModifier(SymbologyConstants.UNIQUE_DESIGNATION, "1-7 IN");
symbol.setModifier(SymbologyConstants.DIRECTION_OF_MOVEMENT, Angle.fromDegrees(90));
symbol.setShowTextModifiers(true);
symbol.setShowGraphicModifiers(true);

// 4. Style
TacticalSymbolAttributes attrs = new BasicTacticalSymbolAttributes();
attrs.setScale(1.0);
attrs.setOpacity(1.0);
symbol.setAttributes(attrs);

TacticalSymbolAttributes hilite = new BasicTacticalSymbolAttributes();
hilite.setScale(1.3);
symbol.setHighlightAttributes(hilite);

// 5. Add to layer and scene
symbolLayer.addRenderable(symbol);

// 6. Create a supporting phase line graphic
TacticalGraphicFactory factory = new MilStd2525GraphicFactory();
List<Position> linePositions = Arrays.asList(
    Position.fromDegrees(36.3, -119.8, 0),
    Position.fromDegrees(36.3, -119.2, 0)
);
TacticalGraphic phaseLine = factory.createGraphic(
    "GFGPGLP----AUSX",   // Friendly phase line
    linePositions, null);
phaseLine.setText("PL BRAVO");
symbolLayer.addRenderable(phaseLine);

wwd.getModel().getLayers().add(symbolLayer);
wwd.redraw();

Pass SymbologyConstants.ALL_STATISTICS_SET to WorldWindow.setPerformanceStatisticKeys() to monitor symbol rendering frame rates when working with large symbol sets. See the Utilities API for PerformanceStatistic details.

Core

Geometry & Globe

Layers & Rendering

Data & Formats

Symbology & Utilities

Tactical Symbology API: MIL-STD-2525 Symbols and Graphics

`TacticalSymbol` Interface

`TacticalSymbolAttributes`

`TacticalGraphic` Interface

`TacticalGraphicAttributes`

`SymbologyConstants`

Key Modifier Constants

`MilStd2525TacticalSymbol`

`MilStd2525GraphicFactory`

Complete Example: MIL-STD-2525 Symbol Rendering

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

Core

Geometry & Globe

Layers & Rendering

Data & Formats

Symbology & Utilities

Documentation Index

​TacticalSymbol Interface

​TacticalSymbolAttributes

​TacticalGraphic Interface

​TacticalGraphicAttributes

​SymbologyConstants

​Key Modifier Constants

​MilStd2525TacticalSymbol

​MilStd2525GraphicFactory

​Complete Example: MIL-STD-2525 Symbol Rendering

Build docs developers (and LLMs) love

`TacticalSymbol` Interface

`TacticalSymbolAttributes`

`TacticalGraphic` Interface

`TacticalGraphicAttributes`

`SymbologyConstants`

Key Modifier Constants

`MilStd2525TacticalSymbol`

`MilStd2525GraphicFactory`

Complete Example: MIL-STD-2525 Symbol Rendering