Cannon

A cannon is a large-caliber firearm used as artillery to fire heavy projectiles over long distances. It uses an explosive propellant to push a projectile through a smooth or rifled barrel. Historically, cannons were muzzle-loaded and placed on a carriage; the term covers a broad range from siege pieces to naval guns.

Origins trace to 13th-century gunpowder weapons in China and the Middle East, spreading to Europe by the late medieval period. Early cannons were thick-walled bombards with stone or iron projectiles. Over time, improvements in metallurgy, bore geometry, and mounting systems increased range, accuracy, and reliability. By the 16th–17th centuries, heavy siege cannons and shipboard guns became central to warfare.

Design and operation: A cannon comprises a barrel, a mounting (carriage or fixed mount), and a firing mechanism or breech. Most early cannons were muzzle-loading; later designs adopted breech-loading, and rifling added spin for accuracy. Power is supplied by gunpowder or other propellants, and recoil systems reduce movement after firing.

Ammunition includes solid iron or stone projectiles (shot), explosive shells, grapeshot or canister, and armor-piercing or incendiary rounds. In naval warfare, cannons were used for both direct fire and long-range bombardment; in land warfare, field cannons supported infantry and cavalry, while siege cannons targeted fortifications.

In the modern era, cannons have evolved into sophisticated artillery pieces, often mounted on wheeled carriages or self-propelled platforms. They employ breech-loading, advanced fuzes, and automated recoil systems. Typical modern cannons range in caliber from about 75 mm to 203 mm, with the 105 mm and 155 mm being the most common field guns in many armies.