[1] Alternatively, it can be defined as the use of weapon systems to create a specific lethal or nonlethal effect on a target.
[2] Fires has traditionally focused on fire support systems such as artillery and close air support, but is increasingly being used to refer to non-lethal systems including information operations, cyberwarfare, and civilian-military relationships.
[3] Fires is one of the six warfighting functions defined by the US Army, which also include movement and maneuver, intelligence, sustainment, command and control, and protection.
The fires warfighting function as defined by the Army includes the following tasks: The Marine Corps defines the fires warfighting function as "Fires harass, suppress, neutralize, or destroy in order to accomplish the targeting objective, which may be to disrupt, delay, limit, persuade, or influence.
Fires are normally used in concert with maneuver, which helps shape the battlespace, setting conditions for decisive action.