MODERN ARTILLERY
Modern artillery is distinguished by its large caliber,
firing an explosive shell or rocket, and being of such a size and weight
as to require a specialized mount for firing and transport. Weapons
covered by this term include "cannon" artillery such as the howitzer,
mortar, and field gun and "rocket" artillery. Certain smaller caliber
mortars are more properly designated small arms rather than artillery,
albeit indirect-fire small arms.
The term "artillery" has traditionally not been used for
projectiles with internal guidance systems, even though some artillery
units employ surface-to-surface missiles. Advances in terminal guidance
systems for small munitions has allowed large caliber projectiles to be
developed, blurring this distinction.
relatively shorter. Capable of both high- and low-angle
fire, they are most often employed in an indirect-fire role, capable of
operating in defilade. Typically, the length of a howitzer cannon is
between 15 and 25 times its caliber.
Mortars are smaller, low-velocity, high-angle weapons
capable of only high-trajectory fire at a relatively short range.
Typically the length of a mortar barrel is less than 15 times its caliber.
Modern field artillery can also be split into two other
categories: towed and self-propelled. As the name implies, towed artillery
has a prime mover, usually a jeep or truck, to move the piece, crew, and
ammunition around. Self-propelled howitzers are permanently mounted on a
carriage or vehicle with room for the crew and ammunition and capable of
moving independently in order to move quickly from one firing position to
another - to both support the fluid nature of modern combat and to avoid
counter-battery fire. There are also mortar carrier vehicles, many of
which allow the mortar to be removed from the vehicle and be used
dismounted, potentially in terrain in which the vehicle cannot navigate or
in order to avoid detection.
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