What type of fire is used on area targets?

The type of fire used on area targets is traversing and searching fire. This method effectively engages targets spread over a larger area rather than focusing on a single point target.

Traversing fire involves moving the weapon system horizontally to cover a range of targets, while searching fire is about adjusting the elevation of the fire to engage targets that may be at different distances or elevations within the area. When dealing with area targets—such as enemy troop formations or vehicles—this combination helps ensure a more comprehensive coverage, maximizing the machine gun's effectiveness.

In contrast, other types of fire are more suitable for specific target engagement. Point fire is optimized for hitting singular, well-defined targets, making it less effective for wider engagement scenarios. Combined fire, which might involve different weapon systems or units, and searching fire alone, while useful, do not fully encompass the tactical need to engage multiple targets effectively from different directions. Thus, traversing and searching fire stands out as the most appropriate method for neutralizing area targets efficiently.