artillery

Artillery refers to large-caliber weapons that fire projectiles from the ground to deliver explosive effects over distance. Traditional artillery includes cannons and howitzers, while mortars and rocket artillery are also grouped under the term. Modern artillery systems can be towed, self-propelled, or mounted on ships and aircraft. The primary role of artillery is to provide long-range fire support, suppress enemy movements, and deliver area effects beyond the range of small arms.

Types of artillery differ by geometry and firing method. Guns typically fire with longer ranges and flatter trajectories; howitzers offer a balance of range and high-angle fire; mortars are light, short-range, and optimized for steep trajectories. Rocket artillery launches unguided missiles from a launcher, providing rapid salvos over large areas. Self-propelled artillery combines a gun or howitzer with a tracked or wheeled chassis for mobility, while towed systems require transport before firing.

Origins and development: Artillery emerged with gunpowder in medieval Asia and Europe, evolving from siege engines to cast cannon. The 19th and 20th centuries saw improvements in metallurgy, breech-loading, recoil systems, and mobility. After World War II, guided munitions, precision fire, and integrated fire-control systems increased accuracy. Contemporary artillery often uses fire-direction networks, meteorological data, and laser or GPS guidance for certain shells.

Ammunition and supply: standard rounds include high-explosive, armor-piercing, smoke, fragmentation, illumination, and inert practice rounds. Modern artillery may employ guided shells, programmable fuzes, and air-burst munitions. The use of artillery is constrained by treaty and policy in conflict, with considerations of civilian harm and collateral damage.