Final answer:
In military terms, 'danger close' indicates proximity to a target that puts friendly forces at risk. For artillery and mortars, this distance is usually 600 meters, while for naval gunfire it is about 750 meters. These distances reflect the significant change in the art of warfare due to powerful weaponry, necessitating the careful coordination of fire support to prevent friendly fire incidents.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'danger close' refers to a fire support term used by forward observers in the military to indicate that friendly or neutral forces are within proximity to a target and may be at risk from the impacts of the fire being called in. For artillery and mortars, 'danger close' is usually considered to be within 600 meters of the firing position for conventional forces, while for naval gunfire, it is typically within 750 meters. These distances are not fixed and can vary depending on the situation, munitions used, and the tactical scenario.
The rising power of military weaponry has significantly changed the dynamics of modern warfare. With the advent of machine guns, artillery shells, and aerial bombings since the times of World War I and World War II, the possibility of mass casualties has significantly increased. Today, advanced technology allows for very high precision in targeting, yet the risk of collateral damage to friendly forces remains a serious consideration in military operations, hence the use of the term 'danger close'.