Naval gunfire support (NGFS) (also known as
shore bombardment) is the use of
naval artillery to provide
fire support for
amphibious assault and other troops operating within their range. NGFS is one of a number of disciplines encompassed by the term
Naval Fires. Modern naval gunfire support is one of the three main components of
amphibious warfare assault operations support, along with
aircraft and ship-launched
Land-attack missiles. Shipborne guns have been used against shore defences since the early days of
naval warfare.