Use of MGRS in USN

[DaleHawerchuk]

I was doing more CAS stuff in the Hornet recently, and learned to use the MGRS. What a game changer, so much more convenient to use, especially when you have to punch those in-flight. The possibility to quickly convert coordinates to fit the level of precision you need is also very useful. 

I was wondering, out of curiosity, is it common for naval aviators to use it in-lieu of regular long/lat coordinates? And I mean not only when they interact with JTAC but also for general navigation stuff? From what I've read MGRS is widely used by the Army, but what the other branches?

[Phantom711]

Generally speaking, in aviation Lat/Long is more commonly used. If you look at aviation charts or approch/departure charts, coordinates are usually Lat/Long. 

Aviation kind of derives from seafaring, which is one reason. Also Lat/Long is a system, that can be applied in a coherent way over the whole world, whrereas MGRS is clutter of squares if you look at it from further away, which leads to some "weird" effects at some places, where those squares converge. 

[DaleHawerchuk]

Thanks for your answer. Though MGRS is more convenient once flying in your confined AO, I can see why lat/long are better suited for a larger area. Makes sense. 

[Dragon1-1]

MGRS is first and foremost used by grunts on the ground. The whole point of having it in a fighter's cockpit is being able to easily communicate with ground forces. What is a "confined AO" for a Hornet is plenty of space for a tank platoon, and as such, they use MGRS first and foremost. Grunts also don't usually need a whole lot of precision. For things like calling in artillery, you can use MGRS coordinates first and then adjust fire based on fall of shot, unless you're firing a GPS-guided round, which needs precise coordinates. For aircraft (steerpoints and such), normal MGRS 6 or 8-digit reference grid is a bit too coarse, plus lat-lon works better with longer distances that aircraft fly.

[Phantom711]

Am 7.1.2024 um 00:31 schrieb Dragon1-1:

For aircraft (steerpoints and such), normal MGRS 6 or 8-digit reference grid is a bit too coarse,

Well…being precise to 100m (MGRS 6 digit) or even 10m (8 digit) should usually be good enough, but as I said, that‘s not the point.

 

[Dragon1-1]

With a modern aircraft, you may, for instance, want to update your INS on a precise geograpic location (like a bridge or dam), so 10m is a significant enough error. Likewise, if you're dropping guided bombs, 10m is far from accurate enough. In many cases it's sufficient precision, but not in all of them.

[drspankle]

10 Fig MGRS is accurate to 1m - if it can be used to drop a Danger Close weapon it's accurate enough for anything else.

Dr Spankle