IV.

Howitzers

Formerly, howitzers were designed with a medium-length barrel to fire a mid-velocity projectile along a curved trajectory. By firing at a low angle, howitzers could achieve adequate range, like guns; at a high angle, they could launch shells over obstacles, like mortars. Today, differences between guns and howitzers are less distinct. Howitzers are now equipped with longer tubes and fire a variety of shells at ranges formerly covered by field guns. Light howitzers are usually mounted on a wheeled carriage that can be towed by a small truck, airlifted by helicopter, or dropped from an airplane with a parachute.