Lesson 22Military Topography

< Active terms and expressions

 

topography топографія
cartography картографія
chart схема; карта; план; графік; діаграма
aeronautical chart аеронавігаційна карта
map (v) карта; наносити на карту; складати карту
standard map звичайна карта
special purpose map топографічна карта спеціального призначення
topographic map топографічна карта
photo map фотокарта; фотоплан; карта, яка складена за даними фотознімків
military city map великомасштабна військово-топографічна карта міста
planimetric map syn.line map планіметрична карта; карта без зображення рельєфу; контурна карта
operations map оперативна карта;карта обстановки
situation map карта обстановки
field sketch абрис (схематичне креслення місцевості)
scale масштаб (карти); визначати відстань по карті
numerical scale чисельний масштаб
small scale дрібний масштаб
medium scale середній масштаб
large scale великий масштаб
bar scale лінійний масштаб
ground distance відстань на місцевості
graphic scale графічний масштаб
grid координатна сітка; сітка
grid reference system система координатної сітки
grid line лінія координатної сітки
gridcoordinates координати за координатною сіткою; прямокутні координати
azimuth азимут
grid azimuth дирекційний кут
magnetic azimuth магнітний азимут
geographic coordinate system географічна система координат
longitude (географічна) довгота
latitude (географічна) широта
parallel паралель
meridians of longitude меридіани довготи
contour line syn. contour горизонталь; контур
adjacent contour суміжна горизонталь
supplementary contour напівгоризонталь
contour interval висота перерізу
marginal [data] information зарамкове оформлення
lower right margin нижній правий кут (карти)
elevation висота; височина; вертикальна наводка
elevation guide шкала висот
vertical datum plane вихідний рівень висоти; нуль висоти
mean sea level середній рівень моря
map sheet лист карти
declination diagram схема магнітного схилення
true north (TN) географічна [істинна] північ
grid north (GN) північ координатної сітки
magnetic north (MN) магнітна північ
prime meridian (PM) нульовий меридіан
representative fraction (RF)   числовий масштаб виражений (звичайним) дробом
Defense Mapping Agency (DMA) картографічне управління МО
legend легенда карти; умовні позначення
topographic map symbol топографічний умовний знак
military symbol умовний (тактичний) знак; мн. військові умовні позначки та скорочення;
label позначення
plot (v) наносити (на карту); складати план; прокладати (курс)
compilation of map складання карти
sheet number номенклатура листа карти
aerial photography аерофотознімок; аерофоторозвідка
vertical aerial photography планове аерофотографування
oblique aerial photography перспективне аерофотографування
high oblique перспективний аерофотознімок(із захопленням лінії горизонту)
low oblique перспективний аерофотознімок (без захопленням лінії горизонту)
photomosaic фотомонтаж
aerial photograph аерофотознімок
terrain feature місцевий предмет; наземний орієнтир
physical feature природній місцевий предмет
conventional sign умовний знак
relief рельєф
mapmaker картограф
field movement techniques способи пересування підрозділів на полі бою
terrain model макет місцевості; великомасштабна рельєфна карта
overlay схема на кальці
relief shading зображення рельєфу накладанням ретушування
layer tinting зображення рельєфунакладанням тонування
map supplement документ, який доповнює карту (напр. графічний документ)
map substitute документ, який замінює карту (напр. схема, фотоплан)
hachure штрих; зображення рельєфу штрихами
land navigation орієнтування на місцевості
pace count вимірювати відстань кроками

 

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to be able to read and interpretthe map читати та розуміти карту
to determine locations of points on a map визначати розташування орієнтирів на карті
to draw to scale креслити в масштабі
to depict relief of the terrain відображати рельєф місцевості на карті
to convert distances on the map to actual ground distances переводити відстані на карті у фактичні відстані на місцевості

 

& Prepare translation of the main text

Military Topography

Cartographyis the art and science of expressing the known physical features of the earth graphically by maps and charts. Today, the complexities of tactical operations and deployment of troops are such that it is essential for all soldiers to be able to read and interpretthe maps in order to move quickly and effectively on the battlefield. To complement map reading procedures, a mastery of field movement techniques is necessary. Soldiers must know how to determine locations of points on a map, measure distances and azimuths, and identify military symbols on a map. The symbols used to represent such military featuresas identity, size, location, or movement of soldiers; and military activities and installations are known as military symbols. These symbols resemble, as closely as possible, the actual features themselves as viewed from above. The simplest way to measure ground distance is the pace count. A pace is equal to one natural step, about 30 inches long. To accurately use the pace count method, you must know how many paces it takes you to walk 100 meters.

Maps

A map is a graphic representation of a portion of the earth's surface drawn to scale, as seen from above. It uses topographic map symbols, and labels to represent features found on the ground. It is impossible to plot every feature of the area in true shape. An attempt to plot each feature true to scale would result in a product impossible to read even with the aid of a magnifying glass. A map indicates variations in terrain, heights of natural shape and linear features, and the extent of vegetation cover. A map provides information on the existence, the location of, and the distance between urban area and routes of travel and communication. Map requisitions and distributions are accomplished through the Defense Mapping Agency.

To be understandable, features must be represented by conventional signs and symbols. To be legible, many of these must be exaggerated in size often far beyond the actual ground limits of the feature represented.

Еlevation and Relief

The elevation of points on the ground and the reliefof an area affect the movement and positioning of military units. Relief is the representation of the shapes of hills, valleys, streams, or terrain features on the earth's surface. Mapmakers use several methods to depict relief of the terrain. Layer tinting is a method of showing relief by color. Hachures are short, broken lines used to show relief. Relief shading indicates relief by a shadow effect achieved by tone and color. A contour line is an imaginary line on the ground, above or below mean sea levelwhich represents vertical positionsor relief. The elevations and contours are measured from a specific vertical datum plane.

Scale

The scale is expressed as afraction and gives the ratio of map distance to ground distance. The numerical scale of a map indicates the relationship of distance measured on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground. This scale is usually written as a fraction and is called the representative fraction.

According to the Defense Mapping Agency maps are classified by scale into three categories. They're small­, medium­, and large-scale maps. The terms small scale, medium scale and large scale may be confusing when read in conjunction with the numbers. However, if the number is viewed as a fraction, it quickly becomes apparent that 1:600,000 of something is smaller than 1:75,000 of the same thing. These maps with scales of 1:75,000 and larger are used for tactical, administrative, and logistical planning. The standard small scale map is 1:1,000,000. This scale map covers a very large ground area, so mapmaker has hardly any room for details. Medium maps are used for planning operations, including the movement and concentration of troops and combat vehicles. The standard large scale map is 1:50,000. A graphic scale is a ruler printed on the map and is used to convert distances on the map to actual ground distances. On a 1:250,000 scale map, the prescribed symbol for a building covers an area about 500 feet square on the ground; a road symbol is equivalent to a road about 520 feet wide on the ground; the symbol for a single-track railroad is equivalent to a railroad cross-tie about 1,000 feet on the ground.

Types

The map of choice for land navigation is the 1:50,000-scale military topographic map. All maps are subdivided by types. Planimetric map is a map that presents only the horizontal positionsfor the features represented. Sometimes, it is called a line map. It is distinguished from a topographic map by the omission of relief, normally represented by contour lines. Photomap is a reproduction of an aerial photograph upon which grid lines, marginal data, route numbers, and approximate scale and direction have been added. Photomosaic is an assembly of aerial photographs, when time does not permit the compilationof a more accurate map.

Terrain model provides a means for visualizing the terrain for planning and for briefing on assault landing. Military city map is a topographic map showing urban elements of military importance that are compatible with the scale of map. A special purpose map has been designed to give information not covered on a standard map. Some of the subjects covered are: terrain features, drainage characteristics, vegetation, coasts and landing beaches, urban areas, cross-country movements.

Marginal information

All maps are not the same so it becomes necessary every time a different map is used to examine themarginal information carefully. Legendis one of important map requisitions which assist a map reader to interpret military maps. The map's legend contains the symbols most commonly used in a particular series or on that specific topographic map sheet.

Sheet numbers are based on an arbitrary system that makes possible the ready orientation of maps of relevant scales. It is used as a reference number to link operations, situation or other specific maps to overlays, operations orders, and plans.

Elevation guide provides the map reader with a means of rapid recognition of major land forms. This is normally found in the lower right margin.

In recent edition maps, there is a note indicating the conversion of azimuthsfrom grid to magneticand from magnetic to grid next to the declination diagram. This is located in the lower margin of large-scale maps and indicates the angular relationships of TN, GN, and MN.

Bar scales are rulers used to convert map distance to ground distance. Maps have three or more bar scales, each in a different unit of measure.

Contour intervalnote states the vertical distance between adjacent contour lines and when supplementary contours are used, the interval is indicated.