Shortly after the discovery of gunpowder, men tried to devise ways of firing projectiles through cylinders. There are many references to countries which developed artillery. The first practical gun and its inventor, however, was never recorded.
Many of the guns invented proved to be incredibly dangerous and extremely costly. With the advance of technology, artillery soon became better. It was removed from its original place on the battlefield (in front of the fighting men) and was positioned further back because the range had been greatly improved.
Artillery is the fighting soldier's main support, and there are many different types. The best known are the 81mm Mortar and the Howitzer. The mortar's shell is self-propellant and is actuated by a percussion cap on its base. Its standard ranges are 30, 60 and 90 metres and it is mainly used in low ground skirmishes.
The 105 Pack Howitzer is so called because it can be packed and folded up, enabling it to be dropped from planes and helicopters into the battle zone. The Howitzer can be adapted for nuclear warheads and about 30 different kinds of rounds can also be used: the armor defeating, air burst, sub-terrainian burst, impact and timed to name a few.
