Direct fire

Direct fire
A gunner aiming a QF 4 inch Mk V naval gun for direct firing

Direct fire refers to the launching of a projectile directly at a target on a relatively flat trajectory. The firing weapon must have a sighting device and an unobstructed line of sight to the target, which means no objects or friendly units can be between it and the target. A weapon engaged in direct fire exposes itself to return fire from the target.

By contrast, indirect fire refers to firing projectile on a high ballistic trajectory, and 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 be can be concealed from direct return fire.

Example of direct fire weapons include handguns, rifles, machine guns, anti-tank guns, and anti-tank rockets. Howitzers and mortars are examples of indirect fire weapons. Large caliber machine guns, like the .50 caliber, can be used in both roles. In the pre-gun age, bows could be used in either role.

For unguided projectiles, direct fire is generally more accurate and of higher velocity and thus is better for penetrating hardened targets and for quickly destroying small, discrete targets. As a general rule, direct fire - especially that from foot soldiers - is required to dislodge enemy units from an area; indirect fire can repress a target area as soldiers and armored vehicles close in on it, but indirect fire cannot capture a target on its own.[citation needed]

See also


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Direct fire — Direct Di*rect , a. [L. directus, p. p. of dirigere to direct: cf. F. direct. See {Dress}, and cf. {Dirge}.] 1. Straight; not crooked, oblique, or circuitous; leading by the short or shortest way to a point or end; as, a direct line; direct means …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • direct fire — tiesioginė ugnis statusas T sritis Gynyba apibrėžtis Ugnis, nukreipta į taikytojo matomą taikinį. atitikmenys: angl. direct fire pranc. tir direct …   NATO terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

  • direct fire — tiesioginė ugnis statusas T sritis Gynyba apibrėžtis Ugnis, tiesiogiai nukreipta į taikinį, kurį mato taikytojas. atitikmenys: angl. direct fire rus. огонь прямой наводкой …   Artilerijos terminų žodynas

  • direct fire — Fire delivered on a target using the target itself as a point of aim for either the weapon or the director …   Military dictionary

  • direct fire control — tiesioginis ugnies valdymas statusas T sritis Gynyba apibrėžtis Toks ugnies valdymas, kai ugnis valdoma tik mechaninėmis priemonėmis (komandomis, signalais, perduodant juos įvairiomis ryšių priemonėmis ar be jų). atitikmenys: angl. direct fire… …   Artilerijos terminų žodynas

  • direct fire — noun fire delivered on a target that is visible to the person aiming it • Hypernyms: ↑fire, ↑firing * * * noun Etymology: direct (III) + fire, v. : gunfire by direct aiming on a visible target …   Useful english dictionary

  • direct-fire —  ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷, | ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ transitive verb : to fire without provision for preheating the air or gas some furnaces are direct fired …   Useful english dictionary

  • direct fire — artillery fire aimed straight at a target …   English contemporary dictionary

  • direct fire — /dəˌrɛkt ˈfaɪə/ (say duh.rekt fuyuh) noun gunfire delivered on a target, using the target itself as a point of aim for either the gun or the director …  

  • Direct — Di*rect , a. [L. directus, p. p. of dirigere to direct: cf. F. direct. See {Dress}, and cf. {Dirge}.] 1. Straight; not crooked, oblique, or circuitous; leading by the short or shortest way to a point or end; as, a direct line; direct means. [1913 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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