Field gun

A field gun is a specific type of field artillery piece. Artillery refers to large-caliber guns used in military combat. Historically, the term field gun described smaller weapons that could move with an army on the march. These guns were designed to be mobile on the battlefield. This mobility allowed them to respond to changing combat circumstances. This differs from garrison artillery, which stays in a fort. It also differs from siege cannons and mortars. Those weapons are often too large to move quickly. They are typically used only during a prolonged siege.

The mechanism of a field gun involves firing projectiles at relatively low angles. This distinguishes them from howitzers, which fire at higher angles. Field guns also lack a single specialized purpose. They are not dedicated solely to anti-tank or coastal defense roles. Many modern versions are hybrid weapons. These guns have a high muzzle velocity, which is the speed at which a shell leaves the barrel. This high velocity allows them to serve two roles. They can fire at distant targets or hit armored vehicles directly.

Artillery is categorized by its size and caliber. In British use, guns up to a certain size are called field guns or light guns. Larger calibers are classified as medium guns. The largest calibers are known as heavy guns. During World War II, many weapons became hybrids. These could act as both anti-tank and field guns. One famous example is the Soviet BS-3. This was an artillery piece adapted from a naval gun. It was designed to function as an anti-tank weapon as well.

History shows how mobility changed warfare. Napoleon Bonaparte used very large wheels on his guns. This innovation allowed him to move guns quickly even during active battles. He moved guns from one point to another to break up enemy formations. This increased the effectiveness of his attacks against massing infantry or cavalry. As technology evolved, almost all guns became capable of moving at speed. By the start of World War I, even large siege weapons could move by road or rail. Even the German super-heavy guns in World War II used caterpillar tracks or rails for movement.

Specific weapons have left a significant mark on history. The Soviet ZiS-3 was one of the most produced field guns. Over 103,000 units were manufactured during World War II. The ZiS-3 was highly versatile in combat. It could provide direct fire against armored vehicles or infantry. It could also perform indirect fire against distant targets. The American 155 mm Long Tom is another notable example. It was a development of a French weapon used in World War I. In the 1960s, the U.S. Army used the M107 175 mm gun. This long-range gun was used extensively during the Vietnam War.

The M107 had a complicated service history. It was considered a high-maintenance item for the U.S. military. A series of cracked barrels led to its removal from U.S. service. However, production continued until 1980. The Israeli military still uses the M107 today. Other groups, like the People's Army of Vietnam, hold the weapon in reserve stocks. This shows how specialized technology can remain useful across different eras and nations.

In modern times, the role of the field gun has shifted. Since the 1980s and 1990s, field guns have seen limited combat use. Small, highly mobile artillery is now often handled by man-portable mortars. These mortars are usually 60 mm or 81 mm in caliber. They have replaced artillery pieces smaller than 75 mm. Gun-howitzers now fill the middle ground of artillery. Most militaries standardize on 155 mm NATO or Warsaw Pact standards. Long-range needs are often met by rockets, missiles, or aircraft.

Modern gun-artillery still provides essential support. The L118 105 mm light gun and the M119 105 mm howitzer are examples. These weapons support infantry and armor at ranges where mortars are impractical. Mortars lack the necessary range or hitting power for these tasks. There is also a middle option called the rifled towed mortar. These are usually 120 mm in caliber. They are light enough to be towed by a truck or an SUV. They have a range of over 7 kilometers. Their projectiles have destructive power comparable to a 105 mm artillery shell.