What does Line of Sight (LOS) help to establish?

Line of Sight (LOS) is crucial for establishing the present location of a target in various military operations. When operating weapons systems, LOS refers to the direct path between the observer (or the weapon) and the target. By establishing LOS, personnel can accurately determine where the target is located relative to their position, which is vital in making informed decisions for targeting and engagement. This is especially important in scenarios where visibility might be obscured or when using advanced targeting systems that rely on precise coordinates.

In contrast, determining maximum range, fire rate, or wind direction involves different ballistic calculations and considerations that do not directly relate to the immediate assessment of a target's position in the line of sight. These factors, while important in overall gunnery and targeting strategy, do not fall under the primary purpose of establishing LOS, which is fundamentally about locating and identifying the target accurately.