Principles of Direct Fire

Question 1

8 Principles of Direct Fire

Answer 1

-Mass the Effects of Fire
-Destroy the Most Dangerous Threat First
-Avoid Target Overkill
-Employ the Most Appropriate Weapon
-Minimize Friendly Exposure
-Avoid Fratricide
-Plan for Extreme Limited Visibility Conditions
-Develop Contingencies

Question 2

Explain:
MASS THE EFFECTS OF FIRE

Answer 2

The unit masses its fires to achieve decisive results. Massing entails focusing fires at critical points and distributing the effects.

Question 3

Explain:
DESTROY THE MOST DANGEROUS THREAT FIRST

Answer 3

The order in which the company team engages enemy forces is in direct relation to the danger they present. The threat posed by the enemy depends on his weapons, range, and positioning.

Question 4

Explain:
AVOID TARGET OVERKILL

Answer 4

Use only the amount of fire required to achieve necessary effects. Target overkill wastes ammunition and ties up weapons that are better employed acquiring and engaging other targets.

Question 5

Explain:
EMPLOY THE MOST APPROPRIATE WEAPON

Answer 5

Using the appropriate weapon for the target increases the probability of rapid enemy destruction or suppression and saves ammunition. Target type, range, exposure, weapons and ammunition availability, and desired target effects are key factors in determining the weapon and ammunition that will be employed.

Question 6

Explain:
MINIMIZE FRIENDLY EXPOSURE

Answer 6

Units increase their survivability by exposing themselves to the enemy only to the extent necessary to engage them effectively. Natural or man-made defilade provides the best cover from kinetic energy direct fire munitions. Crews and squads minimize their exposure by constantly seeking effective available cover, attempting to engage the enemy from the flank, remaining dispersed, firing from multiple positions, and limiting engagement times.

Question 7

Explain:
AVOID FRATRICIDE

Answer 7

All personnel are proactive in reducing the risk of fratricide and noncombatant casualties. Many tools assist in preventing fratricide, such as identification training for combat vehicles and aircraft, the unit’s weapons safety posture, the weapons control status, recognition markings, and a common operational picture through the use of solid TTPs that are reinforced in their standard operating procedures.

Question 8

Explain:
PLAN FOR EXTREME LIMITED VISIBILITY CONDITIONS

Answer 8

At night, limited visibility fire control equipment enables the unit to engage enemy forces at similar ranges that are achieved during daylight operations. Obscurants such as dense fog, heavy smoke, and blowing sand can reduce the capabilities of thermal and I2 optics and sensors

Question 9

Explain:
DEVELOP CONTINGENCIES

Answer 9

Leaders initially develop plans based on their unit’s maximum capabilities; they make alternate plans for implementation in the event of casualties, or weapon damage or failure.

Question 10

Examples of Diminished Capabilities to Develop Contingencies for

Answer 10

-Ammunition shortages or weapon malfunctions.
-Inherent weapon effective range/firepower capability.
-Vehicle fire control system malfunctions.
-Available sensors and optics that provide clear advantage and maximum stand-off.

Question 11

Accuracy

Answer 11

Measures how close the mean point of impact (MPI) of a group of rounds is to the point of aim.

Question 12

Consistency

Answer 12

The ability to strike close to the same point over a group of rounds. The consistency of a gun and ammunition is a measure of the dispersion of a single group of rounds about the MPI fired at a given elevation.