Question about JDAM coordinates vs HSI Precision

[neversaykever]

If I have coordinates like so

Latitude:45° 05' 31.03" N

Longitude:037° 58' 45.55" E

Altitude:16 FT

 

How do I convert that so I can put it in the HSI as Precision?

 

Would it be 45 05.3103 and 37 58.4555 or is it more complicated than that?

[Maverick806]

HSI > DATA > A/C > OSB15? (bottom right option) to switch from decimal minutes to decimal seconds

Edited August 16, 2019 by Maverick806

[Tholozor]

Correct, by default the Hornet is set to use Degree-Decimal-Minutes (DDM) instead of Degree-Minute-Seconds (DMS). The PRECISE option in the DATA > WYPT subpage toggles additional decimal places for either mode.

[obious]

So the question is, why would anyone DDM rather than DMS? This is even more the case when waypoint designating targets rather than using the UFC for coord input

[Tholozor]

Some aircraft only utilize the DDM format, such as the Mirage 2000, so having the ability to read out coordinates in another format never hurts.

[wrl11]

The Tomcats use DDM, so our Nav waypoints are in DDM for all planes in the squadron to use, while our target coordinates are on a separate kneeboards and always in DMS.s.

[Shiny]

To reply to the OP, if you want to convert, there are two methods:

 

1. If you got the coordinates from the map view, simply press ALT-Y to change the mode until you get to the desired format.

 

2. Do a bit of math. Every minute is 60 seconds. So when you have 31.03 seconds, you take 31.03 divide by 60 and you get the minutes, which is 0.5172. So for your first example, in your UFC, you would first enter N 45 05, press enter. Then it would ask you for TTHOU, and you would enter 5172, then press enter.

[tflash]

Can you do this when setting the TGT UFC in the JDAM Mission page? It doesn't seem to ask me for TTHOU ?

[_mu110_]

Can you do this when setting the TGT UFC in the JDAM Mission page? It doesn't seem to ask me for TTHOU ?

 

After you enter the coordinates up to the decimal, press enter, type in the decimal and press enter a second time.

[tflash]

Works! Many Thanks!

[Harker]

So the question is, why would anyone DDM rather than DMS? This is even more the case when waypoint designating targets rather than using the UFC for coord input

It's good to have as many options available as possible, because you don't know what everyone else might use. Incoming data might use a certain format that might be misinterpreted if you don't use the same. Ideally, everyone would agree on one format and be done with it, but that's just wishful thinking IRL.