What is enfilade fire characterized by?

Enfilade fire is characterized by the long axis of the beaten zone being aligned with the target. This means that the fire is directed along the length of a target, which allows for maximizing the impact of the projectiles over a wider area. When weapons are positioned to fire enfilade, they can effectively engage enemy forces in depth, increasing the likelihood of hits due to the geometry of the engagement. This is especially effective against linear formations, as it provides a greater opportunity for rounds to strike multiple targets across that range due to their alignment.

Firing at a shallow angle generally pertains to tactics that are not as effective as enfilade since it does not facilitate the same level of coverage across the target area. Firing directly into the front of the target would imply a more frontal attack that does not maximize the effects of enfilade, since it does not utilize the beaten zone effectively. Utilizing multiple firing positions can be a tactic employed in various scenarios but is not a defining feature of enfilade fire itself. Hence, the focus on the alignment of the beaten zone is what makes the correct answer notable in mastering the concept of enfilade fire.