# Direct fire > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Direct_fire > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Direct_fire.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_fire > Source revision: 1354994012 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Weapons firing with line of sight on target}} {{redirect|Line of fire|other uses|Line of Fire (disambiguation){{!}}Line of Fire}} [[File:4inchGunnerHMSHazard1940.jpg|thumb|right|A gunner aiming a [QF 4-inch Mk V naval gun](/source/QF_4-inch_naval_gun_Mk_V) for direct firing]] '''Direct fire''' or '''line-of-sight fire''' refers to [shooting](/source/shooting) of a [ranged weapon](/source/ranged_weapon) whose [projectile](/source/projectile)/[ordnance](/source/shell_(projectile)) is launched directly at a target within the [line-of-sight](/source/sightline) of the user.{{sfn| Bailey|2004|page=560}} Direct fire weapons typically have a [sighting device](/source/sight_(device)) to ensure [accuracy](/source/accuracy) and must have an unobstructed view to the target with no obstacles or friendly units in between, meaning that they can only effectively engage targets that are in [enfilade](/source/enfilade). Conversely, direct fire units are also directly exposed to return fire from the target unless they are shooting from a position of [defilade](/source/defilade) or concealment.{{sfn| Bailey|2004|page=49}} Direct fire is in contrast to [indirect fire](/source/indirect_fire), which refers to firing a projectile on a curved [ballistic trajectory](/source/ballistic_trajectory) or delivering [self-accelerated](/source/powered_flight) munitions capable of long range and various degrees of [homing abilities](/source/missile_guidance) to alter the [flight path](/source/flight_path). Indirect fire does not need a direct line-of-sight to the target because the shots are normally directed by a [forward observer](/source/forward_observer) who provides the coordinates and calibrations needed to hit the target. As such, indirect-fire weapons can shoot over obstacles or friendly units and the weapons can be concealed from [counter-battery fire](/source/counter-battery_fire). ==Description== [[File:Tracer Rounds (20124259221).jpg|thumb|The most basic form of direct fire is from a [firearm](/source/firearm), seen in this image of an [M240 machine gun](/source/M240_machine_gun) firing [tracer ammunition](/source/tracer_ammunition)]] Examples of direct-fire weapons include most ancient and modern weapons such as [slings](/source/Sling_(weapon)), [blowgun](/source/blowgun)s, [bows](/source/Bow_and_arrow), [crossbows](/source/crossbows), [firearm](/source/firearm)s, and [recoilless rifle](/source/recoilless_rifle)s. The term is most often used in the context of [artillery](/source/artillery), such as [howitzer](/source/howitzer)s and [mortars](/source/mortar_(weapon)). Direct fire remained the dominant method of operating artillery throughout most of human history, with indirect fire used for [siege](/source/siege)s and involving specific [siege guns](/source/List_of_siege_artillery).{{sfn| Bailey|2004|page=211}} Technological developments born of the [Industrial Revolution](/source/Industrial_Revolution) and the development of technical practices in the late 19th century led to an appreciation of indirect fire, although it was not until [World War I](/source/World_War_I) that indirect fire supplanted direct fire as the primary method by which artillery supported the other [combat arms](/source/combat_arms).{{sfn| Bailey|2004|page=49}} During [World War II](/source/World_War_II) direct fire remained secondary to indirect fire, although it was used profusely in situations where indirect fire was less effective, and new direct-fire artillery such as [anti-tank gun](/source/anti-tank_gun)s and [anti-aircraft gun](/source/anti-aircraft_gun)s were developed.{{sfn| Bailey|2004|page=50}} [[File:2-12 conducts direct fire exercise DVIDS474914.jpg|thumb|An [M777 howitzer](/source/M777_howitzer) using direct fire]] After World War II new technology continued to diminish the role of direct fire; however, in several situations it remains a necessary function on the modern battlefield. One of these is the defense of fixed fortified areas{{Mdash}}for example [fire support base](/source/fire_support_base)s{{Mdash}}for which specific firing techniques and munitions such as [Killer Junior](/source/Killer_Junior) and [Beehive anti-personnel round](/source/Beehive_anti-personnel_round)s were developed. Another is when artillery is forced to defend itself, such as in a surprise attack. This could be the result of rapid maneuvering by ground forces, an attack by [airborne troops](/source/airborne_troops), or from the lack of defined [front lines](/source/front_lines) as found in [counterinsurgency operations](/source/counterinsurgency_operations). Direct-fire artillery can also be massed to counter a [penetration](/source/penetration_(warfare)) by enemy [tank](/source/tank)s. In particular [self-propelled artillery](/source/self-propelled_artillery) are ideally suited for this role on account of their mobility, armor protection, and faster [rate of fire](/source/rate_of_fire) compared to other weapons.{{sfn| Bailey|2004|pages=51-54}} A final situation is in [urban warfare](/source/urban_warfare), where locating the enemy can be difficult, the physical structures give the defenders better protection, and the risk of [collateral damage](/source/collateral_damage) is high. In these cases direct-fire artillery can unleash tremendous firepower to precisely destroy enemy fortified positions.{{sfn| Bailey|2004|page=83}} For example, during the [Siege of Marawi](/source/Siege_of_Marawi), the [Armed Forces of the Philippines](/source/Armed_Forces_of_the_Philippines) used 105mm [M101 howitzer](/source/M101_howitzer)s in close-range to combat [Abu Sayyaf](/source/Abu_Sayyaf) and [Maute Group](/source/Maute_group) terrorists who fortified themselves in several buildings. ==See also== * {{annotated link|Director (military)}} * {{annotated link|Fire-control radar}} * {{annotated link|Gun laying}} * {{annotated link|Line-of-sight (missile)}} * {{annotated link|Telescopic sight}} ==References== ===Footnotes=== {{Reflist}} ===Bibliography=== *{{Cite book|last= Bailey|first= J B A|title= Field Artillery and Firepower|year= 2004|publisher= Naval Institute Press|location= Annapolis, MD|isbn= 978-1-59114-029-0|oclc= 51931033}} Category:Artillery operation Category:Military terminology --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Direct fire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_fire) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Direct_fire?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.