2-6.

CATEGORIES

The DMA's mission is to provide mapping, charting, and all geodesy support to the armed forces
and all other national security operations. DMA produces four categories of products and
services: hydrographic, topographic, aeronautical, and missile and targeting. Military maps are
categorized by scale and type.

a. Scale. Because a map is a graphic representation of a portion of the earth's surface

drawn to scale as seen from above, it is important to know what mathematical scale has
been used. You must know this to determine ground distances between objects or
locations on the map, the size of the area covered, and how the scale may affect the
amount of detail being shown. The mathematical scale of a map is the ratio or fraction
between the distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the surface of the earth.
Scale is reported as a representative fraction with the map distance as the numerator and
the ground distance as the denominator.

map distance
Representative fraction (scale) = ——————————
ground distance

As the denominator of the representative fraction gets larger and the ratio gets smaller,
the scale of the map decreases. Defense Mapping Agency maps are classified by scale
into three categories. They are small-, medium-, and large-scale maps (Figure 2-1). The
terms "small scale," "medium scale," and "large scale" may be confusing when read
in conjunction with the number. 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. Therefore, the larger the number after 1:, the smaller the scale of the map.
 Figure 2-1. Scale classifications.

(1) Small. Those maps with scales of 1:1,000,000 and smaller are used for
general planning and for strategic studies (bottom map in Figure 2-1). The
standard small-scale map is 1:1,000,000. This map covers a very large land area at
the expense of detail.

(2) Medium. Those maps with scales larger than 1:1,000,000 but smaller than
1:75,000 are used for operational planning (center map in Figure 2-1). They
contain a moderate amount of detail, but terrain analysis is best done with the
large-scale maps described below. The standard medium-scale map is 1:250,000.
Medium scale maps of 1:100,000 are also frequently encountered.

(3) Large. Those maps with scales of 1:75,000 and larger are used for tactical,
administrative, and logistical planning (top map in Figure 2-1). These are the
maps that you as a soldier or junior leader are most likely to encounter. The
standard large-scale map is 1:50,000; however, many areas have been mapped at a
scale of 1:25,000.

b. Types. The map of choice for land navigators is the 1:50,000-scale military
topographic map. It is important, however, that you know how to use the many other
products available from the DMA as well. When operating in foreign places, you may
discover that DMA map products have not yet been produced to cover your particular
area of operations, or they may not be available to your unit when you require them.
Therefore, you must be prepared to use maps produced by foreign governments that may
or may not meet the standards for accuracy set by DMA. These maps often use symbols
that resemble those found on DMA maps but which have completely different meanings.
There may be other times when you must operate with the only map you can obtain. This
might be a commercially produced map run off on a copy machine at higher
headquarters. In Grenada, many of our troops used a British tourist map.

(1) Planimetric Map. This is a map that presents only the horizontal positions
for the features represented. It is distinguished from a topographic map by the
omission of relief, normally represented by contour lines. Sometimes, it is called a
line map.

(2) Topographic Map. This is a map that portrays terrain features in a

measurable way (usually through use of contour lines), as well as the horizontal
positions of the features represented. The vertical positions, or relief, are normally
represented by contour lines on military topographic maps. On maps showing
relief, the elevations and contours are measured from a specific vertical datum
plane, usually mean sea level. Figure 3-1 shows a typical topographic map.

(3) Photomap. This is a reproduction of an aerial photograph upon which grid

lines, marginal data, place names, route numbers, important elevations,
boundaries, and approximate scale and direction have been added. (See Chapter 8.
)

(4) Joint Operations Graphics. These maps are based on the format of standard
1:250,000 medium-scale military topographic maps, but they contain additional
information needed in joint air-ground operations (Figure 2-2). Along the north
and east edges of the graphic, detail is extended beyond the standard map sheet to
provide overlap with adjacent sheets. These maps are produced both in ground
and air formats. Each version is identified in the lower margin as either Joint
Operations Graphic (Air) or Joint Operations Graphic (Ground). The topographic
information is identical on both, but the ground version shows elevations and
contour in meters and the air version shows them in feet. Layer (elevation) tinting
and relief shading are added as an aid to interpolating relief. Both versions
emphasize airlanding facilities (shown in purple), but the air version has
additional symbols to identify aids and obstructions to air navigation.

Figure 2-2. Joint operations graphic (air).

(5) Photomosaic. This is an assembly of aerial photographs that is commonly

called a mosaic in topographic usage. Mosaics are useful when time does not
permit the compilation of a more accurate map. The accuracy of a mosaic depends
on the method employed in its preparation and may vary from simply a good
pictorial effect of the ground to that of a planimetric map.
(6) Terrain Model. This is a scale model of the terrain showing features, and in
large-scale models showing industrial and cultural shapes. It provides a means for
visualizing the terrain for planning or indoctrination purposes and for briefing on
assault landings.

(7) Military City Map. This is a topographic map (usually at 1:12,550 scale,
sometimes up to 1:5,000), showing the details of a city. It delineates streets and
shows street names, important buildings, and other elements of the urban
landscape important to navigation and military operations in urban terrain. The
scale of a military city map depends on the importance and size of the city,
density of detail, and available intelligence information.

(8) Special Maps. These are maps for special purposes, such as trafficability,
communications, and assault maps. They are usually in the form of an overprint in
the scales smaller than 1:100,000 but larger than 1:1,000,000. A special purpose
map is one that has been designed or modified to give information not covered on
a standard map. The wide range of subjects that could be covered under the
heading of special purpose maps prohibits, within the scope of this manual, more
than a brief mention of a few important ones. Some of the subjects covered are:

• Terrain features.
• Drainage characteristics.
• Vegetation.
• Climate.
• Coasts and landing beaches.
• Roads and bridges.
• Railroads.
• Airfields.
• Urban areas.
• Electric power.
• Fuels.
• Surface water resources.
• Ground water resources.
• Natural construction materials.
• Cross-country movements.
• Suitability for airfield construction.
• Airborne operations.