Artillery

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.  

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  - Citizendium

More reading