"Has High Tech Made Artillery Obsolete?" Topic

"For the past fifteen decades, explosives, not bullets, have inflicted most of the destruction in a land war. In the 1870 Franco-Prussian War, Krupp's breech-loading cannon annihilated the French army. His enormous guns were featured at the World's Fair in 1876, leading to the sobriquet that artillery was the "king of battle."

The Germans fired one million shells on the opening day at Verdun in 1916. During World War II, the Red Army fired two million rounds into Berlin, a city about to collapse from airstrikes. In three weeks at Hue City in 1968, one U.S. Army brigade fired 52,000 rounds. The volume of artillery in Vietnam was prodigious. In the two-month incursion into Cambodia in 1970, for instance, 847,558 rounds were expended…"

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Armand

Well, is it capable of covering a quarter-circle range fan out to 24km and putting 96lbs of steel and high explosive in the air within 35 seconds? If so, then yes. If no, then maybe not quite yet.

High tech expanded the role of artillery.
Even back in 1978, my scouts of my Cavalry platoon had to retrain due to introduction of the Copperhead and other tech. The laser pointers were not hard to use.
So new tech today just expands the role of artillery.

No. It's use in Ukraine has proven that. People forget that in a battlefield with no place to hide there is a significant increase in available targets. Artillery won't always be a top priority for the limited fires available. Nobody has infinite munitions and infinite delivery systems. Artillery is useful for intermediate range targets. Quick to target things beyond visual range and a lot cheaper than systems that reach farther. We will see more lost but that's the price of doing business

Yes, just like so many times someone says Tanks are obsolete. So, as noted in posts here FA is still very useful …

Not remotely, Nine Pound is dead on…if anything, arty is going to be undergoing a renaissance of sorts in the future.

I spot my 105MM light arty battery/section in a tactical covered position; maybe an infantry platoon a mile or so to my front to cover the major advances… My FIST sends up his drones, which can cover hundreds of square miles on a single battery charge. My 105 can cover 10-15 miles, my 155, from 18 to almost 25 miles…and with a round in the breech, can adjust and send death in mere seconds. We've the ability to have 1st round on target in the hands of even amateur FO teams right now…

A good arty section/battery can load up and reposition in just a few minutes of time after first fire if that's a concern.

Hence a single section or battery can cover hundreds of square miles and make it virtually unlivable for an enemy target, using a few skilled FO/FIST teams…

So, exactly how both sides are using their limited arty assets in Ukr. right now.

With a working radio, five good fingers, and an understanding of the Worm Rule, all things are possible.

Do they have those Paladin-type systems derived from PADS or whatever it was on 105s these days?

Artillery was and remains the "God of War". It's just the methods of using it that change.

When asked by some what is the most powerful weapon, I had in my Rifle Plt or Mech Co. I tell them my radio(s) as they can call-in massive amounts for firepower. From FA and Mortars, [Gunships, CAS, Naval supporting fires, etc.] to ruin the enemies' day … And possibly save the s of my troops and I.

Most Powerful weapon = moral and courage…

Armand

Of course … but do have a predilection for firepower too ! A lot of it ! 😎

As Larry Niven observed in "What Good is a Glass Dagger", "A dagger always works". Especially when the Mana goes away.