Definition

Noun: - Fire adjusted by direct visual observation: Artillery or mortar fire where the point of impact (the explosion or burst) is seen by a forward observer. The observer can then communicate corrections to adjust the aim for greater accuracy.

Usage

This term is used almost exclusively in a military context to describe a specific method of directing indirect fire support (like artillery or mortars). - The advancing infantry called for observed fire on the enemy position. - Observed fire is more accurate than unobserved fire because adjustments can be made.

Advanced Usage

• As a procedural term: The phrase often describes a type of fire mission or a phase within a mission.
  • The fire mission proceeded from "fire for effect" to "observed fire" once the forward observer reported the initial impacts.
• Contrast with "unobserved fire": A key distinction in military tactics is between (adjusted) and or (fired at a pre-planned coordinate without adjustment).

Variants and Related Words

• Adjust fire (verb phrase): The action taken by an observer to correct the aim of artillery based on observation.
• Forward Observer (FO) (noun): The person who directs observed fire.
• Fire for Effect (noun): The main barrage of fire delivered after adjustments from observed fire are complete.

Synonyms

• Adjusted fire
• Directed fire (when context implies visual direction)

Related Phrases

• Call for fire: The process of requesting artillery support, which may result in observed fire.
• Spotting rounds: Initial rounds fired, often with smoke or distinctive bursts, to allow the observer to adjust for observed fire.

Noun

1. fire for which the point of impact (the burst) can be seen by an observer; fire can be adjusted on the basis of the observations