the central meridian of each zone (para 3-7c); the
central meridian in each Transverse Mercator
Projection zone is 0.9996 (para 3-6e).
b. Procedures. To convert a GK grid coordinate to a
UTM grid coordinate, use the following steps:
EASTING
Step 1: Drop the GK grid zone from the millions
place.
Step 2: Subtract 500,000 meters from the GK
easting. (If the point is west of the central
meridian, the result will be a negative
number.)
Step 3: Multiply the result in Step 2 by 0.9996.
Step 4: Add 500,000 meters to the result of Step 3.
Step 5: Determine UTM grid zone by adding or
subtracting 30 from the GK grid zone. (The
result must be between 1 and 60
inclusive.)
NORTHING
(NORTH OF EQUATOR)
Step 1: Multiply the GK northing by 0.9996.
(SOUTH OF EQUATOR)
Step 1: Subtract 10,000,000 meters from the GK
northing. (The result will be negative.)
Step 2: Multiply the result of Step 1 by 0.9996.
Step 3: Add 10,000,000 meters to the result of Step
2.
** NOTE ** The resulting easting and northing
coordinates will be referenced to the UTM grid system
in the same ellipsoid and datum as the GK coordinates.
3-21. Unique Coordinates
a. UTM, GK and UPS grid coordinates are not unique.
Any UTM grid coordinates can be plotted in each of
the 60 grid zones. Many UTM and GK coordinates
will plot in both the northern and southern
hemispheres of the same grid zone. All UPS grid
coordinates between 84° and 90° N and S latitudes will
plot in each of the two UPS grid zones.
b. To make UTM and UPS grid coordinates unique,
they should be accompanied by the grid zone and grid
zone designator. Grid zone designators are discussed
in detail in para. 3-22b.
3-22 Military Grid Reference System
a. General. The Military Grid Reference System
(MGRS) is designed for use with the UTM and UPS
grid systems. It establishes a unique set of coordinates
for each specific location on the earth. An MGRS grid
coordinate consists of a grid zone (UTM only), a grid
zone designator, a 100,000 meter square identifier, and
the easting/northing coordinate. The MGRS is
discussed in detail in DMA TM 8358.1.
b. Grid Zone Designator. A grid zone designator is
a one letter code specifying a particular portion of a
UTM/UPS grid zone. See Figure 3-17. The grid zone
designator is usually listed in the marginal data of a
military map.
1. UTM. Each of the 60 UTM grid zones are
divided into 20 grid zone designators; each designator
representing an 8° portion of the grid zone except the
northernmost representing 12°. The designators are
identified alphabetically by the letters C to X with the
letters I and O omitted. C is the southernmost
designator, X is the northernmost, M and N are
separated by the equator. Thus, a grid zone and grid
zone designator together specifies a region of the earth
covering a 6° by 8° area except in the northernmost
designation (X) which specifies a 6° by 12° area.
2. UPS. Both UPS zones (North and South) are
divided into two grid zone designations separated by
the 0° and 180° meridians. In the north zone, the
designator Y covers the western hemisphere, Z covers
the eastern hemisphere. In the south zone, designator
A covers the western hemisphere, B the eastern
hemisphere. Since numbers are not used to identify
the UPS grid zones, a UPS grid MGRS coordinate will
begin with the grid zone designator.
c. 100,000 Meter Square Identifier. Each
UTM/UPS grid zone is divided into 100,000 meter
squares. These squares are identified by two letters
called a 100,000 meter square identifier. The first
DRAFT
3-21