What type of support is primarily provided by a 60mm illumination round?

A 60mm illumination round is designed to provide indirect fire support, particularly at night or in low-light conditions. The round is deployed to produce light over a specific area and can help illuminate the battlefield, making it easier for friendly forces to identify targets, enhance situational awareness, and improve command and control in darkness. This type of support is crucial for enabling effective actions during nighttime operations, giving infantry units an advantage by increasing visibility and reducing the likelihood of friendly fire.

While direct fire support involves engaging targets using weapon systems aimed directly at them, and nighttime reconnaissance focuses on gathering information about the enemy or terrain in low visibility, the purpose of an illumination round clearly aligns with the function of indirect fire support, which can be delivered from a distance without requiring direct line-of-sight to the target area. Counter-battery fire, on the other hand, aims to target enemy artillery systems rather than provide illumination. Thus, understanding the role and effectiveness of illumination rounds in enhancing operational capabilities underscores why indirect fire support is the correct classification for their use.