Artillery observer
[1] The development of optical and communication aids for observation advanced significantly in the First and Second World Wars.
In the 21st century, Joint Tactical Fire Support observers emerged usually using sophisticated communications engineering systems.
Because artillery is an indirect fire weapon system, the guns are rarely in line-of-sight of their target, often located miles away.
[2] The observer serves as the eyes of the guns, by sending target locations and if necessary corrections to the fall of shot, usually by radio.
Equipment used in the observer role ranges from binoculars to laser rangefinders to unmanned aerial vehicles.
FDC(s) convert the observer's target information into firing data for the battery's weapons.
In the U.S. Marine Corps, scout observers also act as naval gunfire spotters and call for, observe and adjust artillery and naval gunfire support, and coordinate fire support assets to include mortars, rockets, artillery, NSFS and CAS/CIFS.
A rifle company Fire Support Team typically consists of a Fire Support Officer (FSO), Forward Air Controller (FAC) or Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC), two scout observers (FO), and two radio operators (RO).
During that war it also became the practice that FOOs[citation needed] arranged quick fireplans comprising several coordinated targets engaged by guns and mortars to support short offensive actions by the squadron or company they were with.
Training, enabled by simulators, allows most soldiers to observe artillery fire, which has long been possible via a FOO.
The Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force had been responsible reporting targets and observation of fire in World War I, this role was subsequently called 'Arty/R, but proved difficult from high performance aircraft over hostile territory in World War II.
In 1940 it was agreed that RAF AOP squadrons equipped with light aircraft, operating at low altitude over friendly territory and flown by Royal Artillery officers would be formed.
[3] Since the development of small unmanned aerial vehicles, they have been used for identifying targets, spotting fall of shot, and correcting aim.
