Direct vs Indirect Fire Support

Direct fire refers to the launching of a projectile directly at a target within the line-ofsight of the firer. The firing weapon must have a sighting device and an unobstructed view 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.
This is in contrast to indirect fire, which refers to firing a projectile on a ballistic trajectory or
delivering munitions by guided or unguided missiles. 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.
Examples of direct fire devices are:

Handguns [pistolas de mano]

Rifles [rifles]

Machine guns [ametralladoras]

Recoilless rifles (RCLR), also called recoilless guns [caones sin retroceso]

Direct-fire artillery, i.e. large military weapons for direct fire, such as howitzers [obuses]
and mortars [morteros]

Direct fire remained the dominant method of operating artillery throughout most of human
history, with indirect fire used for sieges and involving specific siege guns. Technological
developments born of the 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 that indirect fire supplanted direct fire as the primary method by which artillery supported the
other combat arms. During 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 guns and anti-aircraft guns were developed.
After World War II, new technology continued to diminish the role of direct fire, however in
several situations it remains a necessary function. One of these is the defense of fixed fortified
areas, for example fire support bases. 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, or from the lack of defined front lines as found in counterinsurgency
operations. Direct fire artillery can also be massed to counter a penetration by enemy tanks. In
particular self-propelled artillery is ideally suited for this role on account of their mobility,
armor protection, and faster rate of fire compared to other weapons. A final situation is in urban
warfare, where locating the enemy can be difficult, the physical structures give the defenders
better protection, and the risk of collateral damage is high. In these cases direct fire artillery can
unleash tremendous firepower to precisely destroy enemy fortified positions.
NATO defines indirect fire as "Fire delivered at a target which cannot be seen by the aimer." The
implication is that azimuth and/or elevation 'aiming' is done using instrumental methods.
Hence indirect fire means applying 'firing data' to azimuth and elevation sights and laying these
sights. Indirect fire can be used when the target is visible from the firing position. However, it is
mostly used when the target is at longer range and invisible to the firer due to the terrain.
Longer range uses a higher trajectory, and in theory maximum range is achieved with an
elevation angle of 45 degrees.