During a CFF execution, if you hear an impact but cannot visually confirm it after 5 seconds, what spotting should you make?

In the context of conducting close air support or artillery fire support, if you hear an impact but cannot visually confirm it after a specified time, the appropriate spotting to make is "Unobserved." This term indicates that the observer has received auditory feedback confirming that the rounds have landed but lacks visual confirmation of the impact area.

The term "Unobserved" specifically implies that while the observer has sound confirmation of the rounds impacting, they do not have the visual capability to assess the effects of the fire on the target, which is critical for providing accurate adjustments or follow-up instructions. Recognizing this helps maintain clear communication in the execution of fire missions and ensures that all parties involved understand the status of the observed impacts.

In contrast, other terms like "Doubtful," "Lost," or "Cannot Observe" convey different situations that would not accurately reflect the scenario described. "Doubtful" might suggest uncertainty about the impact location, "Lost" typically indicates that the ability to observe has been completely lost, and "Cannot Observe" implies that the observer is unable to visually verify the target or impacts for reasons beyond their control, which does not fit the provided auditory confirmation situation. Thus, "Unobserved" is the accurate term to use in this