VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

numerical position references will always have an even number of digits, in which the first half will indicate
the right direction and the second half will indicate the up direction.) The 15° designator may be
omitted from reports, but care must be taken to ensure that the omission will not cause ambiguity. For
example, NG 1720 identifies a location on the western side of Leipzig and NG 1720 (in UTM grid) identifies
an aerodrome south of Skrydstrup in Denmark.
c. Size of Rectangle. To designate the size of any rectangular area, the standard Georef
coordinates used to indicate the SW corner of the area followed by the letter S (denoting length of sides)
and by digits giving the eastward and northward dimensions of the area in nautical miles. The digits are
separated by the letter X.
GJQJ 0207S6X6 indicates a rectangle with 6-mile sides and its SW corner at latitude 38°07’ N,
longitude 75°58’ W.
d. Size of Circle. To designate the size of a circular area, the standard Georef coordinates for the
center of the circle are followed by the letter R (denoting radius) and by digits giving the nautical mile
radius of the circle.
-EXAMPLE-
-EXAMPLE-
EDBL 2743R12 indicates a circle with a 12-mile radius with its center at latitude 34° 17’ S, longitude
118°33’ W.
e. Altitude. To designate altitude, the standard Georef coordinates for the geographic location of
the aircraft are followed by the letter H (denoting height) and by two digits giving altitude in units of
thousands of feet.
-EXAMPLE-
VFKC 1509H15 indicates aircraft at 15,000 feet at latitude 12°51’ S, longitude 114°15’ E.
2102 UNIVERSAL TRANSVERSE MERCATOR GRID
The UTM grid (the Army square grid) is used for naval bombardment purposes and for other
purposes where applicable. When using this grid, the Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) will be
used in communications between ground forces and other forces jointly engaged; specifically when air
forces including naval aviation are acting in close air support of ground forces, and when landing force
operations are supported by all supporting forces. In such operations, latitude and longitude will be used
when use of MGRS is impractical.
2103 CARTESIAN COORDINATE GRID
MTP 1(D), Vol. I
The Cartesian Coordinate Grid (CCG) is designed for limited security, rapid reporting of
geographic positions in a system compatible with tactical data systems. Grid positions are reported using X
and Y coordinates in relation to the grid origin (center). This grid origin is based on a geographic reference
point, and contact positions are measured in units east/west (X axis) followed by units north/south (Y axis).
The unit of distance is known as the data mile (2,000 yards). The four quadrants of the grid, reading
clockwise from the northwest, are each identified by a color — red, white, blue, and green (see Figure 2-2).
a. Establishing the Grid. The grid origin is established by the OTC. Selection of the grid origin
at a position containing whole or half degrees of latitude or longitude will result in a less secure grid and
should be avoided when possible.
2-3 ORIGINAL