A gunner aiming a QF 4-inch Mk V naval gun for direct firing
Direct fire or line-of-sight fire refers to firing of a ranged weapon whose projectile is launched directly at a target within the line-of-sight of the user.[1] The firing weapon must have a sighting device and an unobstructed view to the target, which means no obstacles or friendly units can be between it and the target. A weapon engaged in direct fire conversely exposes itself to direct return fire from the target.[2]
This is in contrast to indirect fire, which refers to firing a projectile on a curved ballistic trajectory or delivering self-accelerated munitions capable of long range and various degrees of homing abilities to alter the 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. As such, indirect-fire weapons can shoot over obstacles or friendly units and the weapons can be concealed from counter-battery fire.
^Bailey, Johnathan B. A., Field Artillery and Firepower, Naval Institute Press, 2004, p.560
Directfire or line-of-sight fire refers to firing of a ranged weapon whose projectile is launched directly at a target within the line-of-sight of the...
AC-130. Automatic cannon (20–40 mm) or grenade fire may also be available and fire from larger directfire systems such as tanks. However, limited ammunition...
Indirect fire is aiming and firing a projectile without relying on a direct line of sight between the gun and its target, as in the case of directfire. Aiming...
military formation's exposure to enemy fire. A formation or position is "in enfilade" if weapon fire can be directed along its longest axis. A unit or position...
indirect fire, though the term may also be used for some forms of supporting directfire. The United States Department of Defense defines fire support...
is organized to direct and control indirect artillery fire on the battlefield. Since World War I, to conduct indirect artillery fire, three distinct components...
light chassis. According to Textron, it invested in the 90 mm DirectFire Vehicle as a direct response to the Afghan requirement for a more heavily armed...
gun" by the "detachment" or gun crew, constituting either direct or indirect artillery fire. The manner in which gunnery crews (or formations) are employed...
made progress on the development of three ASAT capable Systems: directfire, directed-energy weapon, and microsatellites. Tests of these systems have...
deliberately to attack a target not susceptible to direct or grazing fire due to not being in direct line of sight. In naval warfare, plunging shellfire...
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are designed to provide direct organic support for infantry forces. They fire a range of shells, primarily in a directfire mode. Most towed infantry...
normally an armored fighting vehicle, which are designed to provide directfire support for infantry attacks, especially against other infantry or fortified...
spots, called "dead zones", and allowed fire along the curtain wall from positions protected from directfire. Many bastion forts also feature cavaliers...
move away from the fire, heavily weighed down. They deposited their valuables in parish churches away from the direct threat of fire. Pepys found Bloodworth...
armoured fighting vehicle used to carry infantry into battle and provide direct-fire support. The 1990 Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe defines...
cartridges, designed to provide sustained automatic directfire as opposed to the semi-automatic or burst fire of standard rifles. They are commonly associated...
of fire: Direct causes of fireFire as a tool in land clearing Fire as a weapon in land tenure or land use disputes Accidental or escaped firesFire connected...
broad classification of impact rounds is directfire and indirect fire rounds. Directfire rounds can be fired directly at the target, ideally targeted...
quadruple mounts, allowing a high rate of fire. In addition, most anti-aircraft guns can be used in a direct-fire role against surface targets to great effect...
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