Artillery Apr 2026

World War I established indirect fire (shooting at unseen targets) as the defining characteristic of modern artillery. World War II saw the rise of self-propelled (SP) guns for mobile warfare. 3. Key Modern Advancements

The current generation focuses on three pillars: , Mobility , and Automation .

Integration with drones, satellites, and digital fire-control computers allows for near-instant targeting and coordination across the theater. Leading Global Systems (2025-2026) Key Feature PzH 2000 SP Howitzer Fully automated, high rate of fire M142 HIMARS High mobility, precision-guided rockets K9 Thunder SP Howitzer Widely exported, excellent mobility Archer SP Howitzer Rapid deployment and "shoot-and-scoot" artillery

Early artillery consisted of mechanical engines like catapults, ballistas, and trebuchets .

Low-velocity, high-angle weapons that fire projectiles at angles greater than 45 degrees, typically to hit targets behind cover or in trenches. World War I established indirect fire (shooting at

High-velocity weapons that fire at a low, flat trajectory. They are typically used for long-range or direct fire.

Versatile, medium-velocity weapons capable of both high-angle (indirect) and low-angle fire. They are the most common field artillery type today. Key Modern Advancements The current generation focuses on

Systems that launch multiple unguided or guided rockets (e.g., M142 HIMARS ) for rapid, high-volume saturation or precision strikes. 2. Historical Evolution