What is a howitzer?

Few civilians know what a howitzer is. Initially, howitzers called weapons designed for throwing stones.

At present, this type of artillery gun for firing from closed firing positions has the following combat characteristics:

• Caliber: from 100 mm and more. The howitzer has a fairly short trunk from 15 to 30 calibers.
• The rate of fire is high. Old models - from 0.5 - 1 to 6 shots every minute (depending on the caliber), and modern can do up to 12 volleys.
• The range of battle from howitzer used to reach 17 km, and now this distance exceeds 50 km. The angle of elevation when firing reaches 75 degrees.

Howitzer of the modern type are self-propelled, unlike their mechanical predecessors.

You can find out more information about the types of weapons from the articles in the Weapons section. In particular, you might be interested in the article What are weapons.