What term is used for the distributed fire of a wide target?

The term used for the distributed fire across a wide target is traversing fire. This method allows shooters to effectively engage a broad area by changing the direction of fire horizontally while keeping the same range and elevation settings. It is particularly useful when a target is large or when engaging multiple targets spread across an extensive area. This technique ensures that the ammunition is dispersed over a wider area, maximizing the chances of hitting a target that may be moving or spread out.

Other fire methods, while effective in their specific circumstances, do not encompass the same broad engagement as traversing fire. For example, search fire generally refers to a deliberate firing tactic aimed at finding and engaging a target but does not inherently imply covering a wide area systematically. Spotting fire involves adjusting fire based on observed impacts and is typically focused on precision rather than a distributed pattern. Direct fire involves aiming directly at a target without the need for adjustment, which is less suitable for covering extensive areas. Therefore, traversing fire is the most appropriate term for describing distributed fire on a wide target.