Weaponsfire

Weaponsfire refers to the energy released when a weapon is discharged, including the propulsion of a projectile or the emission of energy from a directed-energy system. It encompasses small-arms fire, artillery, tank and naval gunfire, missiles, and modern directed-energy weapons, as well as the audible report and visible muzzle flash that accompany such discharges.

The phenomenon is analyzed in three phases. Internal ballistics covers the ignition of propellant and the pressure developed inside the firearm or launcher. External ballistics concerns the flight of the projectile from muzzle to target, including gravity, air resistance, wind, and Coriolis effects. Terminal ballistics describes the impact and its effects on the target, including deformation, fragmentation, and penetration. The muzzle blast, flash, smoke, recoil, and heat are immediate byproducts of firing.

Characteristics of weaponsfire vary with caliber, mechanism, and range. Key factors include rate of fire (cyclic, sustained, or rapid), accuracy and dispersion, projectile velocity, armor or target resistance, and environmental conditions that affect flight.

Fire control and safety are essential considerations in any discussion of weaponsfire. Military and civilian training emphasize proper handling, aiming discipline, and adherence to laws and rules of engagement. Technological advances continue to alter weaponsfire, from automatic weapons and artillery to precision-guided munitions and directed-energy systems, each with distinct operational implications and safety considerations.