Land Navigation Fundamentals

Land Navigation I
FM 3-25.26
Presentation Overview
► Map Basics
 Definition
 Marginal Information
 Map Colors
 Grid Lines
► 8-Digit Grid Coordinate
 Locating
 Plotting
► Determining Distance
 Straight-Line Distance
 Irregular Distance
► Contour Lines
 Basics
 Determining Elevation
► Relief & Terrain Features
 Slope Types
 Hill, Draw, Ridge, Finger, Saddle, Cliff, Depression, Cuts, Fills
► GM Angle, Azimuth, and North
► Quiz
► Questions?
12/08/21 2
► Map Basics
 Definition
 Map Colors
 Grid Lines
 Locating
 Plotting
► Contour Lines
 Basics
 Slope Types
► Quiz
► Questions?
12/08/21 3
Map Basics
► Definition: A map is a mathematically
determined representation of the Earth’s
surface systematically plotted to scale upon
a plane surface.
12/08/21 4
Map Basics:
Marginal Information
► Information that helps us read & interpret a
map
 Graphic (bar) scales are rulers used to convert
horizontal map distance to ground distance
►Right of 0 is primary scale
►Left of 0 is extension scale
Located in center of lower margin

12/08/21 5
Map Basics: Marginal Information
(cont.)
PRIMARY SCALE
1000 500 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
METERS
EXTENSION SCALE
12/08/21 6
Map Basics:
Marginal Information (cont.)
► Declination Diagram
 True North
 Grid North
 Magnetic North
Located in lower right margin
12/08/21 7
Map Basics: Declination Diagram
GRID
NORTH
TRUE
NORTH
MAGNETIC
NORTH
12/08/21 8
Map Basics:
► Legend
 Illustrates and identifies the topographic
symbols used to depict prominent features on
the map. Symbols on one map may not mean
the same things on another map
Located in lower left margin

12/08/21 9
Map Basics: Legend
Includes all kinds

of information,
from the
size/condition of
roads to mines,
chapels and other
man-made
features.
12/08/21 10
Map Basics: Colors
► Black: Man-made objects
 Buildings, some roads, cultural, etc.
► Red: Main roads
 Also some special features
► Blue: Water features
 Lakes, rivers, ponds, ocean, etc.
► Green: Vegetation
 Forrest, orchard, etc.
► Brown: Relief features
 Contour lines.
12/08/21 11
Map Basics: Grid Lines
►A series of straight lines intersecting at right
angles forming squares
► Horizontal grid lines run grid west to grid east

► Vertical grid lines run grid south to grid north
► On most military maps a grid square is 1000X1000

meters
► Basic Rule: Read right on the vertical lines, then

up on the horizontal grid lines
12/08/21 12
23
22
21
20
19
18000mN
38
47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
5
46000mE
12/08/21 13
► Map Basics
 Definition
 Map Colors
 Grid Lines

 Locating
 Plotting
► Contour Lines
 Basics
 Slope Types
► GM Angle, Azimuth Conversion, and Norths
► Quiz
► Next Time: Land Navigation II
 Lensatic Compass
 Orienting a Map
 Determine an Azimuth
 Follow an Azimuth
► Questions?
12/08/21 14
8-Digit Grid Coordinate
►A grid square’s coordinates are found by
combining the values of the vertical and
horizontal grid lines that intersect at the
lower left hand corner of the grid.
 Always, read right, then up
 A 4-digit grid coordinate locates a point to
within 1000 square meters.
12/08/21 15
Finding a 4-Digit Grid Coordinate
23
GRID REFERENCE: 4820
22
21
20
19
18000mN
38
5
46000mE 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
12/08/21 16
Coordinate Scale
► Divides the grid square more accurately and
consistently than estimation
 1:25000 coordinate scale divides the 1000

square meter block into ten 100 meter divisions,
the ten divisions are further divided into 20
meter blocks
12/08/21 17
12/08/21 18
Finding the Grid Coordinate of a
Point
► Firstdetermine the grid square the point is in.
This gives 4 digits: 49xx18xx.
► Next, using correct scale on protractor, align the
bottom right corner of the protractor scale to the
bottom right corner of the grid square.
 Slide the protractor to the left until the right edge of the
scale intersects the point.
 Read off the horizontal and vertical position:
► 12345678
12/08/21 19
23
Grid: 49501890
22
Gives second two
Gives second two latitude
longitude (horizontal)
(vertical) coordinates: 90
21 coordinates: 50
20
19
18
46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
12/08/21 20
Plotting a Grid Coordinate
► Grid Coordinate 12345678
 Divide into horizontal and vertical
measurements: 1234 5678
 Next locate primary coordinates that give grid
square:
►12345678: 12 and 56 are primary coordinates that
provide the grid square
►The 34 and 78 and determined by using the tick
marks on the protractor
12/08/21 21
► Map Basics
 Definition
 Map Colors
 Grid Lines
 Locating
 Plotting
► Contour Lines
 Basics
 Slope Types
► Quiz
 Orienting a Map
► Questions?
12/08/21 22
Determining Distance:
Straight Line
 The shortest distance between the two points
 Lay a straight piece of paper between two
points
 Make two tickmarks on the paper corresponding
to the centers of the two points
 Move the paper down to the graphic scale
 Make sure you use meters
12/08/21 23
Straight Line Distance
12/08/21 24
Irregular Line
►Used for winding roads, curved lines
 Lay paper down so one edge is on the start point, make
a tick mark at the start point and another where the
edge of the paper leaves the center of the curve/line
 Pivot the paper with the pencil on the second point
► to align the paper with the center of the curve, make another
tick mark when the paper leaves the center of the curve
 Continue until measurement is completed
 Transfer paper to the graphic scale to compute the
distance
12/08/21 25
Curved Line Distance
12/08/21 26
► Map Basics
 Definition
 Map Colors
 Grid Lines
 Locating
 Plotting
► Contour Lines
 Basics
 Slope Types
► Quiz
 Orienting a Map
► Questions?
12/08/21 27
Contour Lines: Basics
 A contour line is a line drawn on a map representing an
imaginary line on the ground along which all points are
the same elevation
 Indicates the vertical distance above or below a base
plane
 The vertical distance between two lines is the contour
interval, found in the marginal data
 Every fifth line is an index contour, it is shaded thicker
and heavier
 The lines in between are intermediate contours
 Every line counted represents a change in elevation
equal to the contour interval
12/08/21 28
10
1 2 x358
3 350
5 4
350
9 6
300
8
Intermediate Index Contour Line Supplementary

Contour Line Contour Line
12/08/21 29
Contour Lines:
Determining Elevation
► Ifa point is on a line its elevation is that of
the contour line
► For the estimation of elevation of a point
between contour intervals is equal to 1/2
change in contour interval
 A hilltop is 1/2 plus the elevation of the contour
line around the hilltop unless otherwise stated
 A depression is equal to the contour line around
the depression minus 1/2 the contour interval
12/08/21 30
Contour Lines: Elevation
10
1 2 x358
3 350
5 4
350
9 6
300
8
7
Elevation of Point: 7=? 3=? 9=? 1=? 4=? 8=?
10 = ?
12/08/21 31
► Map Basics
 Definition
 Map Colors
 Grid Lines
 Locating
 Plotting
► Contour Lines
 Basics

 Slope Types
► Quiz
 Orienting a Map
► Questions?
12/08/21 32
Relief & Terrain Features:
Major Terrain Features

Hill
12/08/21 34
Valley
12/08/21 35
Ridgeline
12/08/21 36
Saddle
12/08/21 37
Depression
Minor Terrain Features

Draw
Spur
Cliff
Supplementary Terrain Features
12/08/21 43
Terrain Features
► Cuts: places where ►Fills:areas where
high ground leveled off low areas are filled in
12/08/21 44
Slopes
Uniform Gentle Slope Uniform Steep Slope
Convex Slope Concave Slope
12/08/21 45
► Map Basics
 Definition
 Map Colors
 Grid Lines
 Locating
 Plotting
► Contour Lines
 Basics
 Slope Types
► Azimuths, Azimuth Conversion, and GM Angle

► Quiz
 Orienting a Map
► Questions?
12/08/21 47
Azimuths
► An azimuth is a direction
► Defined as a horizontal angle measured
clockwise from a baseline
► There are two types dealt with
 magnetic azimuths measured with true north as
its base
 grid azimuths measures with grid north as base
12/08/21 48
Measuring Azimuths
► Plot two coordinates on the map
► connect them with a straight line
► Place the index point of the protractor on
the point the azimuth its to be measured
from
► Ensure the protractor grid lines are parallel
to N-S gridlines on a map
► Where the line crosses the protactor
indicates azimuth
12/08/21 49
23
Azimuths (cont.)
GN
22 Grid azimuth =
45 degrees
21
20
19
18000mN
38
47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
5
46000mE
12/08/21 50
GM Angle, Azimuth
Conversion, and North
► Three Norths
 Grid-The vertical lines on the map
 Magnetic-Magnetic North in Hudson Bay
 True-North Pole
► DeclinationDiagram shows the relationships
between the three norths
► Magnetic and Grid North are used to
determine GM (Grid-Magnetic) Angle
12/08/21 51
Converting Azimuths
► Usethe GM angle to convert grid to
magnetic and magnetic to grid
► When going from Grid to Magnetic
 LARS ( Left Add/ Right Subtract)
 This will almost always be the case
► Magnetic to Grid
 LSRA (Left Subtract/Right Add)
12/08/21 52
Declination Diagram
GRID
NORTH
TRUE
NORTH
MAGNETIC
NORTH
12/08/21 53
Declination Variance
GRID
NORTH
TRUE
NORTH
MAGNETIC
NORTH
12/08/21 54
Land Navigation I
FM 3-25.26
► Map Basics
 Definition
 Map Colors
 Grid Lines
 Locating
 Plotting
► Contour Lines
 Basics
 Slope Types
► Quiz
► Questions?
12/08/21 57
► Map Basics
 Definition
 Map Colors
 Grid Lines
 Locating
 Plotting
► Contour Lines
 Basics
 Slope Types
► Quiz
► Questions?
12/08/21 58
Map Basics
► Definition: A map is a mathematically
determined representation of the Earth’s
surface systematically plotted to scale upon
a plane surface.
12/08/21 59
Map Basics:
Marginal Information
► Information that helps us read & interpret a
map
 Graphic (bar) scales are rulers used to convert
horizontal map distance to ground distance
►Right of 0 is primary scale
►Left of 0 is extension scale
Located in center of lower margin

12/08/21 60
Map Basics: Marginal Information
(cont.)
PRIMARY SCALE
1000 500 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
METERS
EXTENSION SCALE
12/08/21 61
Map Basics:
► Declination Diagram
 True North
 Grid North
 Magnetic North
Located in lower right margin
12/08/21 62
Map Basics: Declination Diagram
GRID
NORTH
TRUE
NORTH
MAGNETIC
NORTH
12/08/21 63
Map Basics:
► Legend
 Illustrates and identifies the topographic
symbols used to depict prominent features on
the map. Symbols on one map may not mean
the same things on another map
Located in lower left margin

12/08/21 64
Map Basics: Legend
Includes all kinds

of information,
from the
size/condition of
roads to mines,
chapels and other
man-made
features.
12/08/21 65
Map Basics: Colors
► Black: Man-made objects
 Buildings, some roads, cultural, etc.
► Red: Main roads
 Also some special features
► Blue: Water features
 Lakes, rivers, ponds, ocean, etc.
► Green: Vegetation
 Forrest, orchard, etc.
► Brown: Relief features
 Contour lines.
12/08/21 66
►A series of straight lines intersecting at right
angles forming squares
► Horizontal grid lines run grid west to grid east

► Vertical grid lines run grid south to grid north
► On most military maps a grid square is 1000X1000

meters
► Basic Rule: Read right on the vertical lines, then

up on the horizontal grid lines
12/08/21 67
23
22
21
20
19
18000mN
38
47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
5
46000mE
12/08/21 68
► Map Basics
 Definition
 Map Colors
 Grid Lines

 Locating
 Plotting
► Contour Lines
 Basics
 Slope Types
► Quiz
 Orienting a Map
► Questions?
12/08/21 69
8-Digit Grid Coordinate
►A grid square’s coordinates are found by
combining the values of the vertical and
horizontal grid lines that intersect at the
lower left hand corner of the grid.
 Always, read right, then up
 A 4-digit grid coordinate locates a point to
within 1000 square meters.
12/08/21 70
Finding a 4-Digit Grid Coordinate
23
GRID REFERENCE: 4820
22
21
20
19
18000mN
38
5
46000mE 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
12/08/21 71
Coordinate Scale
► Divides the grid square more accurately and
consistently than estimation
 1:25000 coordinate scale divides the 1000

square meter block into ten 100 meter divisions,
the ten divisions are further divided into 20
meter blocks
12/08/21 72
12/08/21 73
Finding the Grid Coordinate of a
Point
► Firstdetermine the grid square the point is in.
This gives 4 digits: 49xx18xx.
► Next, using correct scale on protractor, align the
bottom right corner of the protractor scale to the
bottom right corner of the grid square.
 Slide the protractor to the left until the right edge of the
scale intersects the point.
 Read off the horizontal and vertical position:
► 12345678
12/08/21 74
23
Grid: 49501890
22
Gives second two
Gives second two latitude
longitude (horizontal)
(vertical) coordinates: 90
21 coordinates: 50
20
19
18
46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
12/08/21 75
Plotting a Grid Coordinate
► Grid Coordinate 12345678
 Divide into horizontal and vertical
measurements: 1234 5678
 Next locate primary coordinates that give grid
square:
►12345678: 12 and 56 are primary coordinates that
provide the grid square
►The 34 and 78 and determined by using the tick
marks on the protractor
12/08/21 76
► Map Basics
 Definition
 Map Colors
 Grid Lines
 Locating
 Plotting
► Contour Lines
 Basics
 Slope Types
► Quiz
 Orienting a Map
► Questions?
12/08/21 77
Straight Line
 The shortest distance between the two points
 Lay a straight piece of paper between two
points
 Make two tickmarks on the paper corresponding
to the centers of the two points
 Move the paper down to the graphic scale
 Make sure you use meters
12/08/21 78
Straight Line Distance
12/08/21 79
Irregular Line
►Used for winding roads, curved lines
 Lay paper down so one edge is on the start point, make
a tick mark at the start point and another where the
edge of the paper leaves the center of the curve/line
 Pivot the paper with the pencil on the second point
► to align the paper with the center of the curve, make another
tick mark when the paper leaves the center of the curve
 Continue until measurement is completed
 Transfer paper to the graphic scale to compute the
distance
12/08/21 80
Curved Line Distance
12/08/21 81
► Map Basics
 Definition
 Map Colors
 Grid Lines
 Locating
 Plotting
► Contour Lines
 Basics
 Slope Types
► Quiz
 Orienting a Map
► Questions?
12/08/21 82
 A contour line is a line drawn on a map representing an
imaginary line on the ground along which all points are
the same elevation
 Indicates the vertical distance above or below a base
plane
 The vertical distance between two lines is the contour
interval, found in the marginal data
 Every fifth line is an index contour, it is shaded thicker
and heavier
 The lines in between are intermediate contours
 Every line counted represents a change in elevation
equal to the contour interval
12/08/21 83
10
1 2 x358
3 350
5 4
350
9 6
300
8
Intermediate Index Contour Line Supplementary

Contour Line Contour Line
12/08/21 84
Contour Lines:
Determining Elevation
► Ifa point is on a line its elevation is that of
the contour line
► For the estimation of elevation of a point
between contour intervals is equal to 1/2
change in contour interval
 A hilltop is 1/2 plus the elevation of the contour
line around the hilltop unless otherwise stated
 A depression is equal to the contour line around
the depression minus 1/2 the contour interval
12/08/21 85
Contour Lines: Elevation
10
1 2 x358
3 350
5 4
350
9 6
300
8
7
Elevation of Point: 7=? 3=? 9=? 1=? 4=? 8=?
10 = ?
12/08/21 86
► Map Basics
 Definition
 Map Colors
 Grid Lines
 Locating
 Plotting
► Contour Lines
 Basics

 Slope Types
► Quiz
 Orienting a Map
► Questions?
12/08/21 87
Major Terrain Features

Hill
12/08/21 89
Valley
12/08/21 90
Ridgeline
12/08/21 91
Saddle
12/08/21 92
Depression
Minor Terrain Features

Draw
Spur
Cliff
Supplementary Terrain Features
12/08/21 98
Terrain Features
► Cuts: places where ►Fills:areas where
high ground leveled off low areas are filled in
12/08/21 99
Slopes
Uniform Gentle Slope Uniform Steep Slope
Convex Slope Concave Slope
12/08/21 100
► Map Basics
 Definition
 Map Colors
 Grid Lines
 Locating
 Plotting
► Contour Lines
 Basics
 Slope Types
► Azimuths, Azimuth Conversion, and GM Angle

► Quiz
 Orienting a Map
► Questions?
12/08/21 102
Azimuths
► An azimuth is a direction
► Defined as a horizontal angle measured
clockwise from a baseline
► There are two types dealt with
 magnetic azimuths measured with true north as
its base
 grid azimuths measures with grid north as base
12/08/21 103
Measuring Azimuths
► Plot two coordinates on the map
► connect them with a straight line
► Place the index point of the protractor on
the point the azimuth its to be measured
from
► Ensure the protractor grid lines are parallel
to N-S gridlines on a map
► Where the line crosses the protactor
indicates azimuth
12/08/21 104
23
Azimuths (cont.)
GN
22 Grid azimuth =
45 degrees
21
20
19
18000mN
38
47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54
5
46000mE
12/08/21 105
GM Angle, Azimuth
Conversion, and North
► Three Norths
 Grid-The vertical lines on the map
 Magnetic-Magnetic North in Hudson Bay
 True-North Pole
► DeclinationDiagram shows the relationships
between the three norths
► Magnetic and Grid North are used to
determine GM (Grid-Magnetic) Angle
12/08/21 106
Converting Azimuths
► Usethe GM angle to convert grid to
magnetic and magnetic to grid
► When going from Grid to Magnetic
 LARS ( Left Add/ Right Subtract)
 This will almost always be the case
► Magnetic to Grid
 LSRA (Left Subtract/Right Add)
12/08/21 107
Declination Diagram
GRID
NORTH
TRUE
NORTH
MAGNETIC
NORTH
12/08/21 108
Declination Variance
GRID
NORTH
TRUE
NORTH
MAGNETIC
NORTH
12/08/21 109
Back Azimuth
►A back azimuth is the opposite direction of

an azimuth. It is comparable to doing an
"about face.“
► To obtain a back azimuth from an azimuth,
add 180 degrees if the azimuth is 180
degrees or less, or subtract 180 degrees if
the azimuth is 180 degrees or more
12/08/21 110
Back Azimuth
12/08/21 111
Intersection
► Intersection is the location of an unknown

point by successively occupying at least two
(preferably three) known positions on the
ground and then map sighting on the
unknown location. It is used to locate
distant or inaccessible points or objects such
as enemy targets and danger areas.
12/08/21 112
Intersection
12/08/21 113
Performing Intersection
► (1) Orient the map using the compass.
► (2) Locate and mark your position on the map,
► (3) Determine the magnetic azimuth to the unknown position
using the compass.
► (4) Convert the magnetic azimuth to grid azimuth.
► (5) Draw a line on the map from your position on this grid
azimuth.
► (6) Move to a second known point and repeat steps 1, 2, 3, 4,
and 5.
► (7) The location of the unknown position is where the lines cross
on the map. Determine the grid coordinates to the desired
accuracy.
12/08/21 114
Resection
► Resection is the method of locating one's
position on a map by determining the grid
azimuth to at least two well defined
locations that can be pinpointed on the
map. For greater accuracy, the desired
method of resection would be to use three
or more well-defined locations.
12/08/21 115
Resection
12/08/21 116
Performing Resection
► (1) Orient the map using the compass.
► (2) Identify two or three known distant locations on the ground and
mark them on the map.
► (3) Measure the magnetic azimuth to one of the known positions from
your location using a compass.
► (4) Convert the magnetic azimuth to a grid azimuth.
► (5) Convert the grid azimuth to a back azimuth. Using a protractor,
draw a line for the back azimuth on the map from the known position
back toward your unknown position.
► (6) Repeat 3, 4, and 5 for a second position and a third position, if
desired.
► (7) The intersection of the lines is your location. Determine the grid
coordinates to the desired accuracy.
12/08/21 117
Questions?
► Map Basics
 Definition
 Map Colors
 Grid Lines
 Locating
 Plotting
► Contour Lines
 Basics
 Slope Types
► Quiz
12/08/21 119
Quiz
► What is a map?
► What are the three types of North?
 Explain what they represent.
► What standard colors are used on a map?
 What do they represent?
► Explainthe 2 main types of contour lines.
► What is an 8-digit grid coordinate?
 How accurate is it is using a 1:25000 coordinate scale?
► Describe the four types of slope and what they
look like on a topographic map.
12/08/21 120
Quiz (cont.)
► What is the following

terrain feature:
12/08/21 121
Questions?

Land Navigation Fundamentals

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Land Navigation I

Located in center of lower margin

1000 500 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000

Located in lower right margin

Located in lower left margin

Includes all kinds

► Horizontal grid lines run grid west to grid east

► On most military maps a grid square is 1000X1000

► Basic Rule: Read right on the vertical lines, then

► 8-Digit Grid Coordinate

 1:25000 coordinate scale divides the 1000

Intermediate Index Contour Line Supplementary

► Relief & Terrain Features

Major Terrain Features

Minor Terrain Features

Supplementary Terrain Features

Convex Slope Concave Slope

► Azimuths, Azimuth Conversion, and GM Angle

Located in center of lower margin

1000 500 0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000

Located in lower right margin

Located in lower left margin

Includes all kinds

► Horizontal grid lines run grid west to grid east

► On most military maps a grid square is 1000X1000

► Basic Rule: Read right on the vertical lines, then

► 8-Digit Grid Coordinate

 1:25000 coordinate scale divides the 1000

Intermediate Index Contour Line Supplementary

► Relief & Terrain Features

Major Terrain Features

Minor Terrain Features

Supplementary Terrain Features

Convex Slope Concave Slope

► Azimuths, Azimuth Conversion, and GM Angle

►A back azimuth is the opposite direction of

► Intersection is the location of an unknown

► What is the following

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