Which statement correctly differentiates direct fire from indirect fire?

• A. Direct fire is delivered at targets not visible through any line of sight.
• B. Direct fire uses artillery; indirect uses rifles.
• C. Direct fire is aimed at visible targets through line-of-sight, while indirect fire uses artillery, mortars, or air support projected onto targets not in line of sight.
• D. Indirect fire requires direct observation at all times.

Answer: (C)

The main idea is how direct and indirect fire differ in relation to line of sight and how the targets are engaged.

Direct fire involves aiming and firing at targets that you can see, using a clear line of sight. This is how rifles, machine guns, and other shooter-based weapons engage—the shooter or weapon system is aimed directly at the target through visual contact.

Indirect fire, on the other hand, is fired at targets not in line of sight. It relies on weapons like artillery, mortars, or air-delivered munitions, with targeting data and coordinates provided by observers or fire-direction centers to hit hidden or distant targets.

So the correct statement captures that distinction: direct fire is aimed at visible targets through line of sight, while indirect fire uses artillery, mortars, or air support projected onto targets not in line of sight.

The other options fall short because they mix up the concepts or add requirements that aren’t true. Direct fire isn’t used for targets not visible through line of sight, and indirect fire isn’t limited to rifles while direct fire uses those closer-range weapons. Also, indirect fire doesn’t require direct observation at all times; it can be coordinated via observers or fire-direction systems without continuous first-hand sighting of the target.