henry@zoo.toronto.edu (04/14/91)
From: henry@zoo.toronto.edu
Mail from *another* Field Artillery type who can't post directly,
Tim Duggan <TIM.DUGGAN@OFFICE.WANG.COM>:
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Strictly speaking, High Angle is the range of elevations in which
an increase in elevation will cause a corresponding decrease in range. In a
perfect world, this would always occur at 800(!) mils or 45 degrees.
Hi angle usually occurs fairly close to 800 mils - most firing tables also
contain entries in this range - the Probable Error in Range is listed
alongside so that the observer and FDO can judge for themselves what is
unacceptable.
a GUN is a direct fire weapon
a HOWITZER is a direct and indirect fire weapon that fires
both low and high angle
a MORTAR is an indirect fire weapon that fires high angle only
The above definitions are perfect for explaining the differences between the
cannons on tanks, artillery, and anti-aircraft weapons... if only all of my
peers would stop referring to howitzers as guns! :-)
- Tim Dugganmajor@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt) (04/18/91)
From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt) >a GUN is a direct fire weapon >a HOWITZER is a direct and indirect fire weapon that fires > both low and high angle >a MORTAR is an indirect fire weapon that fires high angle only So, how do you classify the Soviet 152mm Gun-Howitzer? And, I believe the old 175mm Artillery piece was a "gun" not a howitzer. mts
cmort@ncoast.org (04/18/91)
From: cmort@ncoast.org >From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt) >>a GUN is a direct fire weapon >>a HOWITZER is a direct and indirect fire weapon that fires >> both low and high angle >>a MORTAR is an indirect fire weapon that fires high angle only > >So, how do you classify the Soviet 152mm Gun-Howitzer? Just because you CAN fire a howitzer in direct fire mode, that doesn't necessarily mean that that's a particularly effective mode of employment. You can also fire an 81mm mortar direct fire too, as proven by the 81mm/.50 mounts on Swift Boats. Presumeably, the 152mm can fire in both modes with reasonable effectiveness. >And, I believe the old 175mm Artillery piece was a "gun" not a >howitzer. It was indeed classifed as a gun. As I recall, it's accuracy was considered disappointing. I also believe that it shared a carriage with another gun, probably the 8" howitzer. cmort@ncoast.org --- Chris Morton "Well just whose opinions do you THINK these are?"
thos@suite.sw.oz.au (Thomas Cohen) (04/19/91)
From: thos@suite.sw.oz.au (Thomas Cohen) >From: bcstec!shuksan!major@uunet.UU.NET (Mike Schmitt) >> [Gun, Howitzer & mortar definitions ] >So, how do you classify the Soviet 152mm Gun-Howitzer? Dunno, guess the Soviets must be confused. ;^) Possibly used in various roles depending on the ammunition and charge (see below). >And, I believe the old 175mm Artillery piece was a "gun" not a howitzer. Guns can be of any size - 15" in the case of the USS Missouri et al. According to (all chorus... Ian Hogg ) a Gun is generally a piece of artillery that fires a projectile at high velocity with a relatively flat trajectory - certainly less than 45 deg, and uses a limited range of cartridge options. Although AA guns are allowed to fire over 45deg I believe ;^) A Howitzer is a piece of artillery capable of firing at angles greater than 45 deg, and at a low velocity. It has a propellant charge capable of being adjusted to for size to give a number of trajectory options, all of which describe a high path to pass over intervening obstacles and reacah behind cover to drop the shell on the target. Compared with a gun of the same calibre, the howitzer fires a heavier shell at lower velocity and has a shorter range. Mortars are strictly speaking, any ordnance that can fire only at angles greater than 45deg. -- thos cohen UUCP: ...!uunet!softway.oz!thos Internet: thos@softway.oz.au