Artillery

For the Danish thrash metal band, see Artillery (band).

Artillery is a word for the big guns used in an army, for example cannons and howitzers. Such guns are used to shoot targets far away. Artillery is often used to stop enemy troops using an area, to bombard trenches and buildings with enemies in it and to support friendly units. There are many different weapons that are called artillery. They may shoot shells or missiles. Newer systems can even drop mines over a big area, making the area uncrossable. Anti-aircraft warfare includes the use of artillery to fight planes and other aircraft.

Cannon at a fort, 19th century

Those who fire the artillery piece are called "gunners". In most cases someone else, called a "spotter" must see the enemy, because artillery often shoots farther than the gunners can see. The artillery crews do not have to see the enemy to damage them.

Different types of artillery

Field artillery Field guns Field gun (Self-propelled) Howitzers Howitzer (Self-propelled) Infantry gun Infantry gun (Self-propelled) Mountain artillery Muzzle-loading gun Siege artillery

Specialized guns Anti-aircraft guns Anti-tank guns Assault guns Autocannons Coastal artillery Nuclear artillery Recoilless rifles Self-propelled anti-aircraft guns Self-propelled anti-tank guns

Mortars Mortars Heavy mortars Infantry mortars Self-propelled mortars Rockets Rocket artillery Transport-built-in artillery Naval guns Railway guns Tank guns

Other websites

• Artillery Archived 2016-06-09 at the Wayback Machine - Citizendium

More reading

• Iggulden, Hal; Iggulden, Conn (2007). "A Brief History of Artillery". The Dangerous Book for Boys. New York: HarperCollins. pp. 209–213. ISBN 978-0061243585.