Howitzer
A howitzer is an artillery gun designed to fire shells on relatively high, curved trajectories, typically at targets beyond direct line of sight.
Indirect fire: Artillery fire directed at targets the gun crew cannot see directly, using observations and calculations to aim. Howitzers commonly engage targets beyond direct sight by firing indirectly.
Artillery: Large-caliber weapons and the military branch or units that operate them. Howitzers are a major class of artillery weapon.
M777 howitzer: A lightweight 155 mm towed howitzer used by several armed forces. The M777 illustrates a modern, air-transportable towed howitzer.
Field gun: A mobile artillery gun traditionally designed for relatively flat-trajectory fire against visible targets. Field guns emphasize flatter trajectories, whereas howitzers are designed for higher arcs.
Ballistics: The science of projectile motion, including the forces that shape a projectile's flight. Ballistics determines how elevation, muzzle velocity, and air resistance shape a howitzer shell's path.
Cannon: A large-caliber gun that fires projectiles using expanding propellant gases. The howitzer is a kind of cannon, distinguished by its intended trajectory and role.
M109 howitzer: An American 155 mm self-propelled howitzer introduced in the early 1960s. The M109 shows howitzer firepower mounted on an armored tracked vehicle.
Anti-tank gun: A gun designed primarily to destroy armored vehicles with direct fire. Anti-tank guns prioritize direct engagement rather than the howitzer's indirect-fire role.
Artillery fire-control system: The methods and equipment used to calculate, coordinate, and adjust artillery fire. Fire-control calculations translate target locations into howitzer settings.
Mortar (weapon): A short-barreled artillery weapon that fires shells at steep angles, usually over shorter ranges. Mortars also fire on high arcs, but are generally shorter-ranged and more steeply angled.