howitzer
Quick Summary
A howitzer is a type of artillery piece characterized by a short barrel, designed to fire projectiles at medium muzzle velocities with high, arcing trajectories. Unlike cannons, which fire in a flat trajectory, howitzers are specifically built to lob shells in an arc.12
Historically, howitzers fired hollow, powder-filled shells ignited by fuzes. Over time, advancements in gunnery, including rifled bores and more stable propellants, significantly increased their efficiency and range. Modern howitzers often feature recoil-control systems, protective shields for gunners, and quick-acting breech mechanisms. They can be mounted on various carriages, including those designed for field use, railway transport, or even helicopter lifting, and some incorporate auxiliary propulsion for easier movement.324
This summary is created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
